First Roanoke Podcast

This podcast is the first in our study on the Church in Laodicea found in Revelation 3, “How to Avoid Having a Bad Tasting Faith.”

Have you heard the old saying, “We have met the enemy and it's us?” In the Christian Life, sometimes our most persistent enemy of doing right is one old sin nature's desire to do wrong. Today on Monday Matters we'll listen to the words of encouragement given to us by the Apostle Paul who reminds us in Romans chapter 12 that your battle starts with you!

Have you sometimes struggled with knowing how to persevere past a problem in your life? God tells us in the book of James that problems and trials are a natural part of the Christian life. Remember that God is still able to bring good things out of bad times.

Every Christian is called to live a holy life unto the Lord but knowing and doing something can sometimes be a lot easier said than done. On today's Monday Matters Podcast, we'll look at how God's children can learn to live lives that live out the blessing of putting God's Will ahead of their own.

In this episode we're going to look at Chapter 11: “Holiness in Body” as well as Chapter 12: “Holiness in Spirit”

With the start of another New Year comes the time for new goals and fresh starts as we hope to achieve success in those things that need to be improved in our lives. But far too often we waste the spending of our days on things that don't last nor satisfy. Today on Monday Matters we'll see what God says about how we can spend our new year wisely.

The Bible says that as Christians we should train ourselves to be godly but often that's easier said than done. In today's Monday Matters Podcast, we will look at how we can develop personal discipline in our pursuit of holiness.  

The Bible tells us that if we're going live a holy life then we will need to take decisive action. Today on Monday Matters we'll see how a Christian is able to do what other people can't... put our sins to death by letting God's Word be alive in us! 

Psalm 126:5-6 (ESV).  “Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.1. Planting for the Harvest2. Provisions for the Harvest 3. Praises for the Harvest

Proverbs 6:6-8 (NIV)Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! 7 It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, 8 yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.1. The Ways of the Wise[App.] The Wise Christian will not be Lazy.2. The Will of the Worker[App.] Remember Faithfulness is an Inside Out Experience.3. The Wealth of the Watchful[App.] The Reward ofResisting Procrastination

“Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime; it is the LORD who sends the thunderstorms. He gives showers of rain to all people, and plants of the field to everyone.” - Zechariah 10:1 (NIV)1. GOD'S GOODNESS IS REVEALED IN THE RAIN[App.] Trust God for whatever your need is in life.2. GOD'S GOODNESS IS REVEALED IN THE STORMS[App.] Thank God for His goodness in the thunderstorms.3. GOD'S GOODNESS IS REVEALED IN THE FIELDS[App.] Ask God to help you plant good seeds in your life.

Do you think the idea of Holiness is only for super religious people like ministers and missionaries? Well today on Monday Matters, Patrick Lawrence and Bryan Smith discuss why “Holiness is Not an Option” for every Christian as they continue with their study of Jerry Bridges classic work, “The Pursuit of Holiness.”

Today we introduce Patrick Lawrence, our minister to Young Adults at First Roanoke. Together, Patrick and Pastor Bryan begin a multiple part study on "The Pursuit of Holiness" by Jerry Bridges.

PSALM 46:1-2 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.I. THE PERIL THAT WE FEARII. THE PROBLEMS THAT WE FACEIII. THE PROMISES THAT WE BELIEVE

I. The Power of God's Love For You.II. The Power of God's Love Over You!III. The Power of God's Love Through You!

PART 3 OF THE SERIES "God is Love"1. God's Love is Dependable.Application: When life is hard, I can still count on God to Love me no matter what happens to me!2. God's Love is Personable.Application: God loves us and cares what happens to us; therefore, we should care for what happens to others too!3. God's Love is Responsible.The Amplified Bible, in 2 Corinthians 1:4, puts it this way: “[God] who comforts and encourages us in every trouble so that we will be able to comfort and encourage those who are in any kind of trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

Pastor Bryan Smith dives into how to be content in Christ!

Join Pastor Bryan Smith for the second message in our series God is Love.

The first message in our series God's Love.1 John 4:7-11: 7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.1. The Reason Why We Believe God Is Love.2. The Difference God's Love Makes in Our Lives.3. The Confidence We Gain From God's Love

We've all heard the phrase, “Prayer Changes Things.” But the truth is even bigger than that because Prayer Changes You! Today is Part One (Part Two) of this important study on the most amazing ministry of all… the ministry of Prayer.

Do you sometimes feel like things have sorta settled in your Christian life? Well on today's Monday Matters, we will see what the Apostle Paul said to the young in the faith, Timothy, about the importance of "stirring up" what needs to be "fanned into flames" again. Our study text is 2 Timothy 1:1-6.

Today we will be studying the topic of Heaven, focusing on Psalm 23 "...and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever."

Thanks for listening to "Monday Matters"! In this episode, we take a look at evidence in Scripture for the existence of God.

The Bible is a wonderful help to guide us in how we live and in the way we relate to others. On this Monday Matters Podcast we'll see how the Bible isn't only the way we learn about God's Will for our lives but also how we can personally live out God's will each and everyday.

When you think about wisdom what comes to your mind? Academic or Professional Accomplishments? Down home common sense? The Bible says the Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and respecting God always becomes personal for someone when they receive Jesus Christ into their heart and believe in Him. Today on Monday Matters we'll hear part two of our study about The Wisdom of the Cross.

When you think about wisdom what comes to your mind? Academic or Professional Accomplishments? Down home common sense? The Bible says the Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and respecting God always becomes personal for someone when they receive Jesus Christ into their heart and believe in Him. Today on Monday Matters we'll hear part one of our two part study on The Wisdom of the Cross.

1. The DEMANDS of the RULERS2. The DECISION of the DISCIPLES3. The DOMINATION of the HOLY SPIRIT

Acts 4:1-221. Salvation is only found in Jesus!2. People Respond Differently to the Gospel.3. God's Approval Always Matters Most.

He Is Risen! Celebrate God's redeeming work through His Son Jesus Christ in this bible study on the angel's announcement and the Church's confession - "He is not here, He is Risen!"

Easter is only a few days away. The announcement from the angel “He is risen!”  continues to reverberate in the hearts of every child of God throughout the world calling many to the saving work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Join us as we look at the resurrection of Jesus and prepare our hearts for Easter week.

Acts 3:1-26 - 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.4 And while staying[a] with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”The Ascension6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.[c]15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” 18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong[d] he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms,“‘May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it';and“‘Let another take his office.'21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.1. A Request that Missed the Mark!2. A Response that Surprised the Beggar! 3. A Result that Glorified the Lord!a) Peter Testified to them about His Mission.b) Peter Explained to them about His Crossc) Peter Witnessed to them about His Gospel.

Acts 2:40-47 : 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe[a] came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.1. They Received the Gospel.2. They were Devoted in their Fellowship.

When things seem like a disaster to us and all hope is gone, God is still more than able to handle our problems in this life. In Part 3 of our study in Psalm 46, we are reminded that no matter what our challenges or struggles may look like to us, God is always every Christian's Mighty Fortress.