Redemption Hill Church

We left off last week with Haman and King Ahasuerus toasting their brilliance in anticipation of the orders they had just sent out for the destruction of the Jewish people across the empire, while the city of Susa was thrown into confusion and fear. Those in power were completely out of touch with the implications for their people, or the confusion it would cause. Maybe there is no more timely wee...

The first two chapters of Esther are the prelude to set the scene for us. In chapter 3, the drama begins. We are finally introduced to our main antagonist, Haman, and the lens of the story shifts to the brewing conflict between Haman and Mordecai. This passage raises important questions about what it means to honor governing authorities while not violating our own faith or conscience. 

The unlikeliest of characters cropped up in the story as Mordecai introduced Esther. At his urging, Esther realized the importance of wisdom and exercised discretion. Against all odds, Esther is chosen by the King, and a feast was declared in her Persian name. Taxes were cut and returned, gifts were given, but Esther’s heritage remained unknown. Was she being true to herself? To the King? To God?

Over the next two months, our theme will be “Sovereignty in the Silence.” As we read the stories of the Bible, it can be hard to imagine seeing some of the miraculous and majestic moments firsthand. It’s inspiring and awe-inducing, but outside of our regular experience. We’re not likely to cross the Potomac or Anacostia River on Monday and see it part like the Red Sea or Jordan River. It makes it...

Tomorrow morning, we will hear from Devin Watson one last time before he makes the transition to Mercy of Christ Fellowship Church. Devin will lead worship at both services on January 5th, so this isn’t goodbye yet! Devin will lead us into a study in 1 Samuel 1 tomorrow. To round out our Advent season, he will bring us into Hannah’s story, waiting for God to move in her life to bring her a son. It...

The fourth Sunday of Advent has us looking straight toward Christmas. Before the light dawns in the darkness, though, we will take one last Sunday to light the candle symbolizing Love. Of all the attributes of God, none is more essential to His nature than love. God is love (1 John 4:8, 16). This Sunday we get to hear from Pastor Jeremy McClain from Mercy of Christ Fellowship Church. Pastor Jeremy...

On this third Sunday of Advent, we will continue our series by looking at Joy. We all might be able to sing Joy to the World, but Christians are not exactly known for their irrepressible joy. We might even feel odd at times for fully embracing joy, as if happiness is a sign of immaturity, or of not taking reality into account in our lives. That is especially true when things are hard, and when we’...

In  Luke 2, shepherds were suddenly surrounded by an angelic army, bathed in radiating light and crying out, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:14). Peace is a major theme throughout the Bible, and it's central to the angels’ song in declaring the arrival of Jesus, the Christ, born in Bethlehem. Advent gives us the opportunity to see the...

This Sunday begins with Hope. When we think of hope, especially around the holidays, we often think of something along the lines of wishful thinking. In Scripture, though, there is a different nuance to Hope. Hope is a settled confidence that God is true to His character, His word, and His promises. Hope is rooted in the past as we see the faithfulness of God to His promises and people. That gives...

This weekend is the 21st sermon in the series that we started in April. That’s 21 Sundays of gazing at the transcendence and supremacy of Jesus Christ. I have loved the time we have spent together in God’s Word through this series, and I pray that it has been helpful and beneficial for you as well. On Sunday we conclude with some final greetings and a soaring benediction in Hebrews 13:20-25. It tr...

The theme of the City of God stretches into this passage. When I have the chance to visit a new city for the first time, I love to learn as much as I can and research to learn about the place – its history, culture, things to do, etc. We can do the same with the City of God. On Sunday we will take time to look at the foundations, culture, location, population, industry, government, and language of...

We will continue in our series in Hebrews,  Jesus is Better , with Hebrews 13:1-6. And so we begin the final chapter of this letter and the final stretch of our series together. The final chapter of Hebrews is intensely practical. This week we will see how the application flows directly out of the two kingdoms from last week. Jesus has a better way than this world can possibly offer. His way is no...

This Sunday we will continue in our series in Hebrews, Jesus is Better, with Hebrews 12:18-29. It’s a timely text for us because it will draw our attention to the unshakeable Kingdom of God. The world around us trembles and shakes. At times, the only certainty is instability. This Sunday we will explore the truths that we can cling to in tumultuous times and what it means to be citizens of Christ’...

The imagery of a race continues, but our author makes a shift from the great cloud of witnesses that have come before us in faith to the members of our local church body here and now. We have a tendency to read the Bible individualistically, and this passage is no exception, but it is often intended to us all, as God’s people together. This Sunday we will look at our calling to run the race togeth...

In light of the great cloud of witnesses in Hebrews 11, and the call to run the race with our eyes on Jesus, we now turn to the difficult question of suffering – why does God allow us to suffer along the way? None of us likes to be disciplined, and many of us struggle with our own personal discipline. So, it makes sense that we also don’t like the idea of being disciplined by our Father in Heaven....

Hebrews 12 flows out of the powerful storyline of Hebrews 11 and the “Hall of Faith” and turns toward the application of all that has preceded it in the book of Hebrews. This Sunday we will focus on Hebrews 12:1-3. This life is a race that we run, but we’re not alone in it. We will see where we can look for encouragement and endurance along the way.

Many call Hebrews 11 The Hall of Faith. We will plan to dig into the entire chapter in one go. It gives us a walkthrough the Old Testament to see how people through the ages have exercised their faith in God, His Word, and His promises. This Sunday will give us a great foundation in understanding the nature of faith. 

As we continue into the application side of the epistle, we will see the truth of God’s holiness, a warning for us, and a call for how to live.

Devin Watson will preach from Psalm 32. As he brings the Word to us from David’s prayer, we will see the beautiful promise of forgiveness. Repentance and forgiveness are not a one-and-done aspect of following Christ. It’s an everyday reality until we are with Jesus. As we come to understand our own need for forgiveness more deeply, the promise of God to forgive us will become all the more beautifu...

It’s a major shift in the letter because after 9+ chapters of theology, we now turn to application. What does it all mean that Jesus is the true and better Word, Moses, High Priest, Tabernacle, blood, sacrifice, etc.? The gospel is not confined to mere concepts or theological reflection. The good news of Jesus Christ makes an impact in every aspect of our lives, impacting our hearts, our minds, an...

We are right in the heart of the letter, and in the meat of what the author has been driving toward throughout. In our passage on Sunday we will see that “Jesus is the Better Sacrifice.” In contrast with the repetitiveness of the old covenant and sacrificial system that required priests to offer sacrifices day after day, week after week, and year after year, Jesus came and died as the sacrifice th...

Through the month of August we will help the people of RHC see how they are called to ministry and mission as individuals who are part of a church, and call them all to fight against the draw toward passive spectating. God has placed each one of us where we are and for this time. How do we live as His people? What does it mean to be citizens in Christ’s Kingdom, to be salt and light for the world?...

This Sunday we will continue to root ourselves in Ephesians 4:1-16 as we look at the calling on the church in this world. We live in the tension of the already/not yet nature of Christ’s work and Kingdom. Until Jesus returns, He moves through His people to reach people from every nation, tribe, and tongue. So, we get to be part of that work! It’s not always easy, though. Following Jesus doesn’t gi...

Through the month of August we will help the people of RHC see how they are called to ministry and mission as individuals who are part of a church, and call them all to fight against the draw toward passive spectating. This Sunday we will spend time studying the importance of the Church Scattered as a community on mission. We will continue to be rooted in Ephesians 4:11-16 and also spend time in A...

Through the month of August we will help the people of RHC see how they are called to ministry and mission as individuals who are part of a church, and call them all to fight against the draw toward passive spectating. We will begin our work together in Ephesians 4:11-16 and see how the themes of that passage pull together threads that extend throughout Scripture. It’s important for us to have a g...