Even gifted leaders like Timothy (like Peter!) need encouragement to stand unashamed of the testimony about Jesus. When we adjust the Gospel to the expectations of our culture, we muzzle its power to gain respectability before men. To be unashamed is the best way to "guard the Gospel."

Christ Our Redeemer sermon from March 19, 2017. Roanoke, VA.

Pastor: Tom Oster

www.christourredeemer.com

In this introduction to the 2nd letter to Timothy, we hear Paul remind and exhort his first lieutenant to not settle for lukewarm in the application of his gifts and energies to advancing the gospel. A good reminder for all of us!

Christ Our Redeemer sermon from March 5, 2017. Roanoke, VA.

Pastor: Tom Oster

www.christourredeemer.com

It is the Gospel of Jesus. It is the Gospel of the Kingdom. When we reduce our message to 'how to get saved', we are no longer preaching the Gospel that Jesus and His apostles preached.

Christ Our Redeemer sermon from February 26, 2017. Roanoke, VA.

Pastor: Tom Oster

www.christourredeemer.com

The CROSS is the fulfillment of Isa. 53 "the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." Substitutionary Atonement means He was crucified in my place. And therefore, it also means that in Christ, I too have been crucified.

Christ Our Redeemer sermon from February 19, 2017. Roanoke, VA.

Pastor: Tom Oster

www.christourredeemer.com

Jesus draws near when we are walking away from the Cross and explains from Scripture why His suffering and death were necessary and how He is the fulfillment of Israel's long, long story.

Christ Our Redeemer sermon from February 12, 2017. Roanoke, VA.

Pastor: Tom Oster

www.christourredeemer.com

Sin keeps us from the presence of God, but idolatry keeps us from becoming fully human. Jesus died on the Cross to deliver us from our sins and to uncover and deliver us from the idols of our hearts.

Christ Our Redeemer sermon from February 5, 2017. Roanoke, VA.

Pastor: Tom Oster

www.christourredeemer.com

In Genesis 18, God invites Abraham to step into real partnership, to be a priest, to pray for the city of Sodom. "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?" is one of those breath-taking verses that is behind Abraham description as the friend of God. Not: "I can use a man like you"  but more amazing: "What shall we do together?" 

Christ Our Redeemer sermon from January 29, 2017. Roanoke, VA.

Pastor: Tom Oster

www.christourredeemer.com

We are created in the image of God(Gen. 1:26,7). I'm not "just" a forgiven sinner. The work of Christ is God's Master Plan of Redemption to restore us, day by day, "after the image of our Creator" (Col. 3:10) and to place us, as His regents, to work and care for the garden of His good creation.

Christ Our Redeemer sermon from January 22, 2017. Roanoke, VA.

Pastor: Tom Oster

www.christourredeemer.com

Jesus did not die on the cross so we could go to heaven. The achievement of the Cross was the inauguration of the Kingdom on earth, and will be, in the end, the full restoration of God's good creation. Therefore, true spirituality is not a gnostic escape from our bodies, but rather a robustly enfleshed, whole person, spirituality.

Christ Our Redeemer sermon from January 15, 2017. Roanoke, VA.

Pastor: Tom Oster

www.christourredeemer.com

I looked to see the Lion of Judah on the throne and I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain (Rev.5:6). Jesus the Lamb of God reigns from His throne: the Cross. The Cross then becomes the lens through which we come to see everything now most clearly.

Christ Our Redeemer sermon from January 8, 2017. Roanoke, VA.

Pastor: Tom Oster

www.christourredeemer.com