Archived Sermons
2011 sermons at Providence Presbyterian Church.December 25, 2011
Sermon title: The WORD Became Flesh
Speaker: Pastor Andy Phillips
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December 18, 2011
Sermon title: The Coming King
Speaker: Pastor Andy Phillips
Message summary: The Christmas season is called, "the most wonderful time of the year" yet for many it's the most difficult time. Perhaps it's loneliness, the loss of a loved one, or simply the difficulty of making the season special, they way you remember it. Regardless of these reasons, Isaiah speaks in a way which resonates - agreeing with us that this is not the way it is supposed to be. He reminds us that in Jesus we have the king we really need and the community we really crave. It is for this reason Christianity is so deeply satisfying and speaks to our innate sense of something amiss.
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December 11, 2011
Sermon title: Caught In The Middle
Speaker: Pastor Darryl MacPherson
Message summary: Being caught in the middle is almost always a bad scenario. It seems that being caught in the middle between Jesus’ first arrival (the manger), and His next (the “second coming of the Christ”), is equally bad.....that is unless we see in Isaiah 52:7-10 the truth of Jesus and the JOY He perpetually brings - both communicable and unstoppable. These views of the hope we can have in Jesus are the way to relieve the tension of being 'caught in the middle' of the 'already and not yet' during this Christmas season.
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December 4, 2011
Sermon title: Comfort My People
Speaker: Pastor Andy Phillips
Message summary: Traditionally the church has referred to the weeks preceding Christmas as "Advent". Advent refers to the coming of our God, which we look forward to. Our text was written to bring comfort to God's Old Testament people in captivity. The comfort was built on this hope of His coming, and speaks to us today as we look to the God of Advent who always remains faithful, removes all obstacles and rescues the vulnerable.
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November 27, 2011
Sermon title: The Hidden Face of God
Speaker: Pastor Chris Knaebel
Message summary: Ever feel like God uses the silent treatment on us? Like at times He exerts power over us just because He can? This morning we are going to consider together “When God gives us the silent treatment.” When God seems most distant, is He dead or is He just hard of hearing?
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November 20, 2011
Sermon title: A Prayer for the Church
Part of the sermon series: Church for the World
Speaker: Pastor Andy Phillips
Message summary: In Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus he tells us of the riches we have in Christ. His prayer in our text today reveals why it is that this is often unrealized in our lives.
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November 13, 2011
Sermon title: The True Vine
Speaker: Alex Watlington, Campus Minister, Reformed University Fellowship in State College
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October 30, 2011
Sermon title: Components of Ministry
Part of the sermon series: Church for the World
Speaker: Pastor Andy Phillips
Message summary: Virtually everything seems to be "a ministry" these days. We have puppet ministries, motorcycle ministries, football ministries, sailboat ministries, etc, etc, etc .... What is ministry? What are the components of Biblical ministry. Paul answers that question in our text this morning.
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October 23, 2011
Sermon title: A Model Ministry
Part of the sermon series: Church for the World
Speaker: Pastor Andy Phillips
Message summary: There are numerous ways in which a church, and individuals in a church, can approach ministry. Paul, in defense of his ministry, presents us with a picture of a model ministry that is build on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
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October 16, 2011
Sermon title: A Model Church
Part of the sermon series: Church for the World
Speaker: Pastor Andy Phillips
Message summary: What does it mean to be a model church? Paul is convinced of the power and effectiveness of the central message of the Christian faith. What does it look like when a church has this message as its foundation and chief operating principle?
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October 9, 2011
Sermon title: Stand Firm
Part of the sermon series: Church for the World
Speaker: Pastor Andy Phillips
Message summary: How is the church a church for the world in the face of opposition? How do we stand firm? Paul tell us to stand firm in real community, joyful faith and disciplined thinking.
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October 2, 2011
Sermon title: No Confidence in the Flesh
Part of the sermon series: Church for the World
Speaker: Pastor Andy Phillips
Message summary: Paul's language in this passage tells us that many things we view as essential to our Christian faith are rubbish. Faithful Bible reading, worship attendance, giving -- are rubbish. As important as they are; if these things are in which we place trust to gain or improve our standing before God and others, they are rubbish. Our only means of confidence is Christ and his righteousness credited to us by faith.
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September 18,2011
Sermon title: A Church for the World in the Face of Opposition
Part of the sermon series: Church for the World
Speaker: Pastor Andy Phillips
Message summary: Our current sermon series has been examining how the church is to be the church for the world. The challenge is how can the church be for the world in the face of opposition? Paul's only example shows us the church stands in the face of opposition by being consumed with Christ, connected to one another and content in suffering.
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September 11,2011
Sermon title: Disputable Matters
Part of the sermon series: Church for the World
Speaker: Pastor Andy Phillips
Message summary: The church is to love one another, but how do we love each other when our convictions often differ? Can Republicans and Democrats, teetotalers and wine connoisseurs live together in the same church? This passage challenges us to love each other regardless of our convictions.
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September 4,2011
Sermon title: The Debt of Love
Part of the sermon series: Church for the World
Speaker: Pastor Andy Phillips
Message summary: The debt of love highlights the irony of the Christian faith in that it is a debt we can never pay off, but are always paying. At the same time, the Gospel tells us this debt has been fully satisfied. As odd as it seems, it is this tension with which the Christian lives,as we constantly clothe ourselves with Christ.
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August 28, 2011
Sermon title: Sincere Love
Part of the sermon series: Church for the World
Speaker: Pastor Andy Phillips
Message summary: It matters how we live as the Church of Jesus Christ. The mercies of God described in some theological detail in Romans chapters 1-11 change us. We are living sacrifices being transformed from the inside out such that our attitude towards others change. We live a life of love. Paul describes here in some detail what that looks like.
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August 21, 2011
Sermon title: Living Sacrifice
Part of the sermon series: Church for the World
Speaker: Pastor Andy Phillips
Message summary: How we live matters. It matters because it is the result of what we believe and, therefore, says something about our belief system. The call to be a 'Living Sacrifice' is just that - a response to a belief system. It is the result a deep understanding of the mercies of God outlined in the first 11 chapters of Romans.
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August 14, 2011
Sermon title: Real Victory
Part of the Summer sermon series: The book of Psalms
Speaker: Pastor Chris Knaebel
Message summary: How do I know I was made to worship? Because everyone sings and everyone prays – it’s just a matter of for which audience and from whom deliverance is sought. Our songs and prayers indicate which god receives our heart’s unceasing affection. When consumed with singing the praises of our Creator, we become so unaware of ourselves and uncontrolled by the things outside of our control. Faith’s mysterious victory of uninhibited song and uncontrollable prayer to the Living God draws together choirs and symphonies who advocate for the helpless, the powerless and the hopeless.
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August 7, 2011
Sermon title: Oh, How He Loves
Part of the Summer sermon series: The book of Psalms
Speaker: Pastor Chris Knaebel
Message summary: If Bob Dylan is right that “everybody’s gotta serve somebody” – then where we turn when life doesn’t make sense, when we’re not in control and how we use our resources may actually help us uncover who or what receives the ceaseless affection that our hearts are always channeling. Such barometers indicate our serving the true God or a false idol. While the Lord said that “no one can serve two masters,” our hearts so easily think they can have God plus something else. In order for our affections to be properly channeled to the relentless Lover of our soul, and so the gods we serve can be uncovered, we come to Psalm 107 asking: “Who is your God?” & “How does He love?”
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July 31, 2011
Sermon title: His Love Endures Forever
Part of the Summer sermon series: The book of Psalms
Speaker: Pastor Andy Phillips
Message summary: Psalm 106 is the dark counter part to Psalm 105's call to worship. This Psalm calls us to worship by pointing us to God's enduring love in light of our persistent wandering and unfaithfulness, which we share with our spiritual forefathers. It is in this light we are captured by the extent of God's faithful and enduring love.
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July 24, 2011
Sermon title:Tell of All His Wonderful Works
Part of the Summer sermon series: The book of Psalms
Speaker: Pastor Andy Phillips
Message summary: Worship is a subject which often does not provoke much enthusiasm. Yet, as men and women created in the image of God, we are worshippers by nature. As a result, many things are objects of our worship. This Psalm tells us that remembering is a key component in worship. Specifically, remembering the wonderful works of God for His people. This provokes a response of telling and of faithfulness.
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July 17, 2011
Sermon title: Gospel Healing
Scripture for today: Acts 3:1-10
Guest Speaker: Pastor Rob Ilderton, Campus Minister at Millersville University
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July 10, 2011
Sermon title: Canvassing Creation
Part of the Summer sermon series: The book of Psalms
Speaker: Pastor Chris Knaebel
Message summary: When we loose perspective on life's roller coaster, natural revelation reminds us of the goodness of God as Sustainer of this beautiful garden. Meditation upon the canvas of creation is the balm for our pain that awakens the joys of creating art for the glory of God.
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June 26, 2011
Sermon title: Hear My Prayer, O Lord
Part of the Summer sermon series: The book of Psalms
Speaker: Pastor Andy Phillips
Message summary: In dealing with suffering and afflictions, particularly those which seem pointless, we often respond with a list of demands in order to remedy the situation. The Psalmist, in a position not unlike Job, petitions in a very different way that is not only instructive, but helpful in adapting our own response to hardships.
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June 19, 2011
Sermon title: Thy Kingdom Come
Part of the Summer sermon series: The book of Psalms
Speaker: Pastor Andy Phillips
Message summary: In the Lord's Prayer we ask, "Thy Kingdom Come". This Psalm of David fleshes this out with his expressed intention for the type of King and Kingdom for which he longs. Here in lies the hope for all of us who long for the world to be made right as this Psalm point us beyond King David to the one blameless king who takes on our guilt.
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June 12, 2011
Sermon title: Was Jesus Arrogant and Self-Absorbed?
Part of sermon series: Living in Light of the Resurrection
Speaker: Pastor Darryl MacPherson
Message summary: In John 7 Jesus stands, shouts and brashly calls attention to Himself, in the midst of a quiet solemn gathering designed to have reflective worship. Who does He think He is by doing such a thing at such a time? Or, who does He say He IS by doing such a thing and what does this have to do with me today? As we explore John 7:37-39 we will see the relationship between Jesus and the Holy Spirit and how He calls us to Be Thirsty, Believe and Belong.
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June 5, 2011
Sermon title: The Lord's Prayer
Part of sermon series: Living in Light of the Resurrection
Speaker: Pastor Andy Phillips
Message summary: John 17 records Jesus prayer for himself and those who would be disciples. In the passage before us today there are only two petitions. First, that He would be glorified in what He faced on the cross. Second, He prays that His church would be one. The implications for both of these requests are significant as they reflect what is important to our Savior.
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May 29, 2011
Sermon title: Love and Obedience
Part of sermon series: Living in Light of the Resurrection
Speaker: Pastor Andy Phillips
Message summary: The resurrection of Jesus Christ promises us the forgiveness of sins and a right standing with God. This is based on Jesus meeting all the righteous requirements of the law for us and in his suffering and death in our place. So what does that mean for us now? Do we still need to obey? Jesus tells us in this paradoxical passage that those who love him will obey and those who obey show love. Ironically enough these truths provide the encouragement we need toward obedience as we are compelled by His love and empowered by His Spirit.
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May 22, 2011
Sermon title: The Way, The Truth, The Life
Part of sermon series: Living in Light of the Resurrection
Speaker: Pastor Andy Phillips
Message summary: A recent poll claims that 92% of Americans believe in God. Does that seem overly optimistic? Perhaps it is. Living in light of the resurrection challenges some often held fundamental assumptions about belief in God. Jesus' words in this text under score the unique nature of the Christian faith with its exclusive message and inclusive ministry.
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May 15, 2011
Sermon title: My Good Shepherd
Part of sermon series: Living in Light of the Resurrection
Speaker: Pastor Andy Phillips
Message summary: The concept of the Lord as our shepherd is perhaps one of the more common images. However, the difficulty we have in truly believing this is a different matter. Jesus teaches us much with these three words: "My Good Shepherd". Embracing this truth is life changing.
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May 8, 2011
Sermon title: Opened Eyes and Burning Hearts
Part of sermon series: Living in Light of the Resurrection
Speaker: Pastor Andy Phillips
Message summary: Christianity is about a living relationship with Jesus. Luke 24 is one of the most extensive accounts of an encounter with the resurrected Christ. This passage gives us a glimpse into how we can know when, we too, may have had an experience with the resurrected Jesus.
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May 1, 2011
Sermon title: Peace Be with You
Part of sermon series: Living in Light of the Resurrection
Speaker: Pastor Andy Phillips
Message summary: We have often heard it said that there are no certainties in life except death and taxes. The resurrection challenges those assumptions by assuring us of a sustaining peace, a wonderful grace and the comforting promise of eternal life. These certainties all rest upon the accomplishments of the person of Jesus.
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April 24, 2011
Sermon title: He is Not Here; He has Risen
Part of sermon series: Jesus: The Man, The Message, The Mission
Speaker: Pastor Andy Phillips
Message summary: How does the story of Easter keep from losing its 'punch'? What if, for you, it has no 'punch' at all? Follow in the footsteps of the women at the tomb on that first Easter morning as they reflect on the empty tomb, hear the preposterous story and are changed, because they sought Jesus.
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April 17, 2011
Sermon title: The Triumphal Entry
Part of sermon series: Jesus: The Man, The Message, The Mission
Message summary: Palm Sunday is a remarkable event in the days leading up to that first Easter Sunday. How is it that the very same crowd who hailed Jesus as the Messiah King could call for his death less than a week later? This text tells us it is because they missed how He entered Jerusalem. But this is not just a problem for first century Israel, it is a problem for us, too. His entrance tells us something about His ministry and purpose as it relates to your life in the 21st century.
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April 10, 2011
Sermon title: Jesus Wept
Part of sermon series: Jesus: The Man, The Message, The Mission
Message summary: The shortest verse in the Bible points us to the richness of God's grace and mercy in responding to our sorrows. It shows us how to deal with our disappointments with God when we struggle to understand why he refuses to act when and how we think he should. Raising Lazarus from the dead demonstrates that it is Jesus Himself who is the resurrection and life and therefore the one to look to in our time of need.
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April 3, 2011
Sermon title: Blindness Jesus Can't Heal?
Part of sermon series: Jesus: The Man, The Message, The Mission
Message summary: How is Jesus' ministry accomplished when there are so many "less than perfect" situations in my life? What is His message to me through some of these "bad things"? Can Jesus really help me today? In the Gospel of John, we read of Jesus' contact with a man born blind and with those who were skeptical of Jesus. Here we are given insight on how to be at peace with the physical, and spiritual, maladies of our world.
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March 27, 2011
Sermon title: Assurance
Part of sermon series: Jesus: The Man, The Message, The Mission
Message summary: What does Jesus ministry accomplish? What does it mean for us as followers more than 2000 years later? Paul tells us in very practical terms that Jesus ministry and message brings us life changing assurance when we remember our standing, are empowered to rejoice in our suffering so that we rest in our salvation.
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March 20, 2011
Sermon title: The Temptation of Christ
Part of sermon series: Jesus: The Man, The Message, The Mission
Message summary: Jesus' wilderness temptation recorded in Matthew 4 is one of the more important events in his life. It is a unique and defining point in his ministry and is helpful to His Church in numerous ways. This event reveals something about the pattern and purpose of temptation and of even greater importance it reveals the promise of this particular temptation for the people of God.
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March 13, 2011
Speaker: Chris KnaebelMessage summary: Our rival sweeper knows that pride and visions of grandeur can easily lure players to forget their team and the game plan. Unless we all hang together we will for sure all hang separately.
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