The Gospel, Race, and the Church
A Vision for DC
August 26, 2018 • Pastor Bill Riedel
To close the series, Pastor Bill Riedel recapped the journey through the previous weeks and cast vision for the future. This combined a vivid picture of what Jesus has called His Church to, in every time and place, as well as a particular vision for what this church is called to at this time in this place.
Interview with Ebeneezer Trustees
August 19, 2018
Redemption Hill Church is privileged to meet in a historic church in DC. Since 1838 there has been a gospel presence at 400 D St SE. On August 19th Trustees of Ebenezer UMC will join us for an interview on the history of the church, as well as their experience of DC that has spanned decades. We are excited to have such deeply rooted residents join us, and to have the chance to call them friends.
Facing Our History
August 19, 2018 • Pastor Bill Riedel
With a theological foundation and an understanding of church history, this sermon will turn toward understanding our own story and place in God’s work through history. This will include a survey of Christianity in America, including a clear-eyed look at the role Christians have played in racial division and injustice. It will also look at the history of DC, and work toward an understanding of the historic brokenness of our city, and how the gospel can bring healing and reconciliation.
Diversity in the Early Church
August 12, 2018 • Pastor Chuy Rodriguez
From the Day of Pentecost forward, the Church reflected a broad diversity of people, cultures, and backgrounds brought together in a new community. The Early Church felt growing pains in the friction that so often accompanies proximity, as people were brought together. In this sermon, Pastor Chuy Rodríguez will look at the earliest history of the church, and the admonishment from the Apostles on unnecessary barriers to the gospel based on cultural constructs. The description of the Early Church will both challenge and inspire us to pursue unity in Christ today.
One New Man
August 5, 2018 • Pastor Bill Riedel
Our current cultural moment is consumed by discussion of race. Biblically and theologically, there is only one race – the human race – made up of a multiplicity of ethnic groups. Race is a construct that was developed in the 19th century in order to subjugate entire people groups as inferior based on skin color. The gospel of Jesus Christ is that a new, restored humanity has been established and inaugurated. Within this new humanity, our ultimate identity is in Jesus Christ, who renews and restores every part of us into His image and likeness.
The Image and Likeness of God
July 29, 2018 • Pastor Bill Riedel
The foundation for Christian anthropology is rooted in the very first chapter of the biblical text and storyline. Every person, male and female, is made in the image and likeness of God and, therefore, has a divinely ascribed dignity. This sermon will explore the beauty of this foundation as well as the ongoing implications. If the church believes that all people carry equal dignity, then it is critical that the church work to uphold and restore dignity for all people.
Every Nation, Tribe, People, & Language
July 22, 2018 • Pastor Doug Logan
Pastor Doug Logan joined us to open God's Word for us to Revelation 7:9-12. The portrait of Jesus’ throne in Revelation 7 is that people from every tribe, tongue, and nation are gathered together to worship Him. This beautiful portrait is often a point of reference when discussing diversity in the church. The passage is focused less on diversity, though, and more on the glory of Christ. In this first sermon, Pastor Doug set the tone for the series, showing the barrier-shattering reality that comes from an ultimate identity found in the glory of Jesus Christ. Pastor Doug is is the Director of Diversity and Co-Director of Church in Hard Places with Acts 29. He formerly served as Senior Pastor of Epiphany Camden, a church founded under his leadership in 2012. In 2016, he authored his first book, On the Block: Developing a Biblical Picture for Missional Engagement. Doug and his wife, Angel, have been married since 1996 and have three adult sons and three grandchildren.