Redemption Hill Church

So far, Jesus has given reinterpretations of the Law by addressing the heart connections of anger to murder, lust to adultery, and clear teaching on marriage and divorce. In Matthew 5:33-37, Jesus goes on to address truthfulness. The people of Jesus' time had created all kinds of ways to talk around the truth, subtleties and passive ways to dodge saying what they really meant to say – a lot like we do today. In Jesus' Kingdom, there is no room for playing with truth. After all, He is the source of all truth and Jesus promised that knowing Him means we know what truth is, and the truth sets us free. We will take time to look at the consequences of manipulating truth, and why it is so important to God that we tell the truth.------------------------------------------- Connect with us on Social Media ⁠Website⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠Threads⁠ | ⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠Vimeo⁠------------------------------------------- Download our App⁠Apple App Store⁠ | ⁠Google Play Store⁠

This Sunday we get to hear from Joel Kornegay, one of our elders at RHC. Joel is a chaplain in the Air Force, and we have been blessed to have Joel and Laura at RHC for their time in DC, which is coming to a close at the end of June as they move to their new post. As we so often do at RHC, we will send some of our favorites and best out to bless other churches and invest in other cities. Joel is going to preach from Matthew 16:19-22. It's a passage that is a great extension of our current series in the Sermon on the Mount as Jesus called a young man to the costly discipleship of His Upside-Down Kingdom. ------------------------------------------- Connect with us on Social Media ⁠Website⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠Threads⁠ | ⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠Vimeo⁠------------------------------------------- Download our App⁠Apple App Store⁠ | ⁠Google Play Store⁠

Jesus again aims right at our hearts in addressing adultery, lust, marriage, and divorce. We will do what we can to cover a broad range of issues that stem from sexuality, relationships, and our own hearts. God's Word is clear and His plans for us are for our good. So what does the Bible say? 

Last week we saw that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law and Prophets. Jesus built on that core concept with six exegeses of specific laws regarding murder, adultery, divorce, lying, reciprocal justice, and who our neighbor is that we are to love.Jesus turned first to murder, showing that the deeper heart concern in the Law is anger and hatred against others. We live in a world of broken relationships and relational pain. It's hard to know how to navigate disagreements and arguments well, how to work toward reconciliation and restoration, extend forgiveness that might not ever be reciprocated, or deal with the pain of betrayal and abandonment. Our passage on Sunday will help us dig into the heart of relationships and how to move through anger to peace.

This passage is essentially the thesis statement of the whole Sermon. It also brings us face-to-face with one of the most heated theological issues – discerning the relationship between the Old Testament and New Testament. We will take the time to see how Jesus fits into Redemptive History and the part He plays for our good and God's glory.------------------------------------------- Connect with us on Social Media ⁠Website⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠Threads⁠ | ⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠Vimeo⁠------------------------------------------- Download our App⁠Apple App Store⁠ | ⁠Google Play Store⁠

The Sermon on the Mount was the announcement of the in-breaking of the Kingdom of Heaven. Last week, we saw that the Beatitudes show us the characteristics of those who are in Christ's Kingdom, and the hope that we all have. This week, it continues as Jesus said that all who follow Him are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Sunday, April 27, 2025 | Watch the full ⁠Sunday Gathering here⁠ ------------------------------------------- Connect with us on Social Media ⁠Website⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠Threads⁠ | ⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠Vimeo⁠------------------------------------------- Download our App⁠Apple App Store⁠ | ⁠Google Play Store⁠

This Sunday we will begin a new series in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus' first major section of teaching in Matthew's Gospel (Mt. 5-7): The Upside-Down Kingdom. The Sermon on the Mount is the most well-known teaching Jesus did. It is a striking series of ethical teaching that upends the norms and even religious expectations of His time. It is much more than a new ethic or religious approach, though. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus announced the inbreaking of the His Kingdom. This week we will start with the Beatitudes, the beginning and foundation for the realities of the Upside-Down Kingdom that stands outside of and opposed to the values and kingdoms of our world. 

SPOTIFY  As we bring our Dwell series to a close, we explored Acts 4:23-31 together. In the face of the authorities and nations raging against the early Christians, just as they did against Jesus, the disciples show us how to pray in the power of the Holy Spirit.Sunday, April 6, 2025 | Watch the full ⁠Sunday Gathering here⁠. ------------------------------------------- Connect with us on Social Media ⁠Website⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠Threads⁠ | ⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠Vimeo⁠------------------------------------------- Download our App⁠Apple App Store⁠ | ⁠Google Play Store⁠

As we think about our current moment, in DC and the DMV in March 2025, trusting that God's Word is living and active, it takes careful consideration of how the gospel speaks and what makes it good news. That careful work is the work of contextualization. In the same way that explaining an iPhone to someone in 1945 might be a challenge, we have an extra-terrestrial message. On Sunday we will take time in Acts 17:16-34 to see how the Apostle Paul approached ministry in Athens. It's a great example for us because, in many ways, DC is our nation's “Athens” – a place renowned for the exchange of ideology in the marketplace and, as Acts 17:21 says, “Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.”Sunday, March 30, 2025Watch the full Sunday Gathering here. -------------------------------------------Connect with us on Social MediaWebsite | Instagram⁠ | Threads | Facebook⁠ | Vimeo-------------------------------------------Download our AppApple App Store | Google Play Store

Now that we have established a theology of Place and Vocation, both looking at the practical side of living in the DMV, we get to turn our attention to God's work in transforming hearts and renewing and restoring people by the work of the Spirit calling people to repentance and belief in Jesus Christ. I hope to explore a brief history of revivals, how that language has been used, and what the characteristics are that we can see across church history. We will turn to God's Word to try to discern and determine what God's work is in revival and distinguish it carefully from what we are called to. This is the deepest longing of my heart – to see revival in our city. The vision of RHC is that it will be “In DC as it is in Heaven.” We will work from the foundation of Jeremiah 29:11-14 as we see the good plans God has for us, His people, as sojourners and exiles here. 

Work is a major aspect of our lives. For most of us, more time is spent working than anywhere else, or very nearly. Continuing with a foundation in Jeremiah 29:4-7 and 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, we will survey Scripture to try to grasp an understanding of God's design for work, what makes it difficult, and what it means to work to the glory of God and the common good. DC is always a vocation-focused city and that has intensified in our current moment. So, we will take a look at why work is important, how we can approach it, and whether it's all worth it in the end. 

After spending the past two months in Esther, which proved to be timely encouragement for us as we live as sojourners and exiles, we will begin a new series this Sunday. March brings us to the completion of the two-year discipleship initiative, Dwell: An Enduring & Faithful Presence. The call to Dwell has had two main components: a call to 100% engagement for those who call RHC home, and a call to help us financially prepare for the future by saving toward a more permanent home for the church. We have seen God move powerfully over the past two years. The intentionality and generosity of our members has been massively encouraging. I believe that God has used this initiative to shape our hearts and to clarify the mission and vision for Redemption Hill. The shaping impact of the Dwell initiative is not just going to be discarded once we get to April 2025 and the two years are complete. Instead, the call to Dwell: An Enduring & Faithful Presence will become a Core Value of the church, that will continue to shape us as a people looking forward. I'm excited to preach over the next month on how that value will shape us as a church:     Week 1 – Dwell: Theology of Place    Week 2 – Enduring: Theology of Vocation    Week 3 – Faithful: Theology of Revival    Week 4 – Presence: Theology of ContextualizationIn the spirit of God's call to His people in exile to seek the welfare and good of their city in Jeremiah 29, we have been sent by God to DC and the DMV at this time. My faith has been encouraged to see the faith that so many of you are showing right now. We hope to finish our two year commitments strong. We also recognized that some of you are facing job loss and uncertainty right now. While some may not be able to give anything financially, there are other ways to be part of God's work that are just as valuable. For others who are able to give, or even consider giving more in a time of need, I hope you will prayerfully consider doing so. For all of us, my hope is that the next month will help us clarify what it means that God has put us here “for such a time as this.”

Today we come to the conclusion in our study in the book of Esther. This series was planned months ago and I have to admit that it has been more timely than I could have imagined. God's Word has a way of doing that – meeting us right where we are, living and active in reaching our hearts. Throughout this series we've seen how God is Sovereignty in the Silence, explored the difference between human justice and God's justice, and been reminded that we can celebrate deliverance even while still in exile.

When we left off the most unlikely of reversals had happened. Haman, who had shamed Mordecai and manipulated the king, using the royal signet ring to issue an edict to kill, to destroy, and to annihilate Mordecai's people, the Jews throughout the empire; that same Haman had to lead Mordecai through the city proclaiming his honor, and then his plot was exposed and Haman was hanged on the 75-foot-high gallows he had built. We will pick it up with Esther 8:1-9:16. In this section the reversal theme becomes even greater as we see a second edict issued using the signet ring of the king. The passage raises some important questions about the nature of justice, the differences between human justice and God's justice, and the ways that we are part of God's work of bringing justice to our city and our world. There are some difficult questions as well as we see what might look like retribution. Through it all we will see that even in the darkest of circumstance we can trust that true justice will triumph in the end, God's justice will be brought to bear in its fullness. The overarching theme of God's Sovereignty in the Silence continues in powerful ways this week. In that, God's Word meets us in perfect timing for the week we are walking through. God sees. God knows. God hears us. Even when it seems like God is silent, His sovereign hand is moving in powerful ways. 

First, hello. I'm Nathan, the new Associate. Some may wonder what an associate does. I will mainly be responsible for associating with you.Second, Bill is out this Sunday. Please pray for his safe travels. With his temporary absence, I have the distinct privilege of sharing the Bible message whether you attend the 9am service or the 5pm or both. Our message title, "For the Joy Set Before Him", comes from Hebrews 12:2, but in a shocking twist, we will be looking at Psalm 16. Just come, and I will explain more when you get here.Third, my family and I are very grateful for the outpouring of generous hospitality we have received. I'm looking forward to getting to know you better and better in the days ahead. It's been a whirlwind for us over the past few months, and I think we may share that sentiment in common. Maybe you too have been living through unsettling circumstances, or perhaps the anxious anticipation of potential unsettling circumstances has been unsettling enough. Either way, I can relate. Psalm 16 has been a tremendous help to me, and I think it will be for you as well.

When we left off, the King had a sleepless night that became a major crux of the entire storyline. He was trying to fall asleep by reading the chronicles of the palace when he remembered Mordecai, who had saved his life. In a delicious twist, Haman was called in to go and get Mordecai, escort him through the city, and proclaim that Mordecai is the one the King delights to honor. Now we see the aftermath. At Esther's second feast, the depth of Haman's plot is revealed and justice finally comes. 

When we left off, Esther had decided that God had put her in the position she held, Queen over the empire, “for such a time as this.” She took a tremendous risk to approach the King without having been called and had the opportunity to host the King and Haman for a banquet. She showed wisdom in inviting the pair to a second banquet the following day. The entire story and trajectory changed overnight. Literally. The King couldn't sleep and his restless night led him to a complete change of heart and perspective, without even realizing all of the pieces at play in the grand drama that was unfolding in Susa.  In the darkest moments, when things are most bleak, and we are wrecked with the question of whether God sees, knows, or hears our prayers as we cry out to Him, what is it that we can cling to? In a world where chaos reigns in the halls of power and human life is at stake, how do we make sense of God's sovereignty? Our passage this Sunday will help us.  

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 week for that message for us! This week the story continues. When the edict went out from the palace, Mordecai fell into mourning. We will take time to see his reaction and responses, the amazing reality that he never lost hope, and the response from Queen Esther as news of the truth reached her. This passage will help us to gain clarity on what it looks like to take action in desperate times, and how to respond and position ourselves to be used by God for good. 

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 hard, at times, to understand God's presence and action in life now, when it can feel like He is silent.  Esther is the only book of the Bible that does not mention God. Like, at all. It was written when God's people were scattered, taken into exile by Assyria, then Babylon, and now under the Medo-Persian Empire, but so many were displaced in what became known as the diaspora. God seemed silent.  As we head into a new year, Esther will help us to see and recognize God's presence and power, even in the silence. We will see the place we hold in the grand, vast story of this world like a thread in a Persian tapestry. As God's people in this place, at this time, with these governmental leaders, how to we live faithfully for the glory of God and the good of all people? Esther will help us to find our way.

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's a great chapter and a dramatic story that will help us to see what it looks like to wait on the Lord and what we can trust God to do. 

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 planted MCFC out of Anacostia River Church several years ago. MCFC is officially partnered with RHC to reach and reflect DC. I'm excited for him to be with us and to open God's Word for us. 

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're stuck waiting. We will take time this Sunday to see the importance of joy in our lives, the witness to the goodness of God and the glory of the gospel that is uniquely captured by joy, and the discipline of a joyful life. 

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 importance of peace, as we wait for perfect peace. 

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 us confidence to look head to the promises we have been given with anticipation and expectation.

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 truly wraps up the fullness of the book. I hope to remind us of the important truths we learned along the way as we ask God for a clear vision of the eternal glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

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 God's city. It's an important look at how our lives are impacted by the gospel as its citizens, and where our hope lies looking ahead. 

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 not always easy to discern, and it is, as Jesus described, narrower than the wide roads that surround it. That narrow path will lead us through all that we face in our lives with a greater sense of peace and fulfillment than we can find anywhere else. 

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's Kingdom who are sojourners and exiles here. My hope is that we will all leave our worship gatherings on Sunday refreshed and reminded of where our hope lies.

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 together.

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. This Sunday we will take an open look at the pain and the privilege of Christian discipline. 

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 beautiful, and through it we can learn how to walk in the light of forgiveness, both for ourselves and as we extend it to others.

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, and our lives. On Sunday we will begin to see what that looks like. 

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 that cleanses us from sin once and for all. We will take time to explore the deep need that every human being has for forgiveness, the emptiness of the methods we follow to try to ease our own consciences, and the hope that we find in the gospel.

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? We will spend our time digging into a greater understanding of our calling in Jesus.

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 give us a free pass to Heaven or a chance to skip over the suffering, struggle, or temptation of the world we live in. Ephesians 4:15-16 give us an idea of the contrast between immaturity and maturity in Christ. It's a timely passage for us. 

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 Acts to see the impact as the gospel shaped the community and added to it.

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 good view of how God gifts people, what each of us is called to as followers of Jesus, and how God works by the Spirit to do His work through us.