Sermons from Ascension Lutheran Church, RPV

For our final sermon in our Asking for a Friend series, we provide an answer to the question, "Why did Jesus have to die a bloody death for the world to be redeemed?"

This week we discuss the question, "What is Scripture good for, and why should we trust it?"

If God is in control and has predestined everything, how can humans be truly free? How is God not responsible for sin?

How should Christians view other religions? Is interfaith dialogue possible without compromising my faith?

This week we discuss the problem of evil: If God is real, why is there so much evil in the world?

This week we discuss the question: Can I be a Christ follower without attending church?

This week as we continue our "Asking For a Friend" sermon series, we explore the following question: "How can we be both sinful and a child of God?"

Our sermon series, "Asking For A Friend," continues as this week we discuss how our faith intersects with our family.

For our first sermon in our new series, "Asking For a Friend," we discuss the following question: Why do non-Christians sometimes seem like better people than Christians?

We conclude our summer study of the book of Hebrews. Chapter 13 offers practical advice for Christian living, encouraging love, hospitality, compassion, and faithfulness, and urges us to honor our leaders, reject false teachings, and offer continual praise to God.

Hebrews Chapter 12 encourages us to persevere in our faith, like a race that must be run with endurance, as we look to Jesus as the ultimate example of perseverance and faithfulness. 

Hebrews 11:1 (NRSV) - Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Christ's sacrifice is the ultimate and final offering for sins, surpassing the old covenant's repeated sacrifices. As believers, we are encouraged to draw near to God with faith, hold unwaveringly to hope, and support one another in love and good deeds.

While the old covenant involved rituals and sacrifices in an earthly tabernacle, the new covenant is fulfilled through Christ's eternal sacrifice in the heavenly sanctuary, offering a permanent redemption. Christ's sacrifice surpasses the old covenant's temporary measures, purifying believers' consciences and granting access to God's presence.

Where is your old iPhone? The device that always clung to your side was quickly replaced by your new phone, the old discarded into a drawer somewhere. So it goes with the New Covenant. The old is set aside when the new arrives. 

Hebrews Chapter 7 discusses the superiority of Jesus' priesthood over the Levitical priesthood. Jesus is a high priest in the order of Melchizedek, a unique and eternal priesthood that surpasses the traditional Levitical priesthood established under the Mosaic Law.

Listen as we discover the High Priest who we can body approach. 

Pastor Paul Spaulding joins us to preach on Hebrews chapter 6. 

We continue our study of the book of Hebrews by talking about our desire to judge one another and celebrating God's perfect judgement. We also talk about how the Word of God cuts off our desire to save ourself and we can have true rest. 

Hebrews Chapter 3 urges us to consider Jesus, who is greater than Moses, as both are faithful to God's house, but Jesus is the Son and Moses is a servant. This chapter also warns against hardening our hearts through unbelief, using the Israelites' rebellion in the wilderness as an example to encourage our steadfast faith and obedience to God.

Jesus is both fully human and fully divine. Through his humanity, he shares in our sufferings. And with his divinity, he conquers our fear of death.

This week we study the first chapter of Hebrews as we discuss how to unlock the language of the Son. Have questions about the sermon? You can text or email QUESTIONS@ALCRPV.ORG . If you are watching this service after Sunday morning, don't worry... We will record a video later this week answering any questions that weren't answered during the live service.

This week we begin our summer study in the book of Hebrews with an introduction, where we discuss the themes of this book, its authorship and approximate time it was written.

While attendance and donations are important ways to assess the health of a congregation, demonstrating and living out the Fruits of the Spirit show that we are rooted in God.

As we continue our sermon series on the Fruit of the Spirit, it is important that we remember that it is the Spirit that provides us this Fruit. It is not by our own efforts.