First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh's Podcast

Jesus’ most famous parable of the father who redefines what it means to be a father by his over-the-top generosity and willingness to forgive. The late Henri Nouwen was so moved by seeing Rembrandt’s classic painting, “Return of the Prodigal,” and by studying Jesus’ great parable, that it changed his life. How do we learn to repent of our waywardness and our self-righteousness and become more like the father who empties himself?

The Apostle Paul wants his readers to grasp the surpassing love of God. God wants to do for us “immeasurably more than all we ask for imagine.” So we do we settle for so little? How do we open ourselves to the riches God has in store for us?

Jesus’ parable of a poor widow whose only hope of changing the mind of a heartless judge was her persistence. How can it be that Christians are just as messed up as non-believers? It turns out that being saved doesn’t instantly change our character. If the most marginalized person in town, a widow, can get justice from a heartless judge, don’t we think that we can get justice from our loving God?

The Apostle Paul reminded the early church that each person in the church is gifted in such way as to bless everyone else. The US Surgeon General recently reported on the “epidemic” of loneliness and its devastating effects. And yet Jesus has given us the solution to loneliness, his church? How do we get the world to see that we have what it most needs?

The Prophet Isaiah, speaking to Jewish exiles in Babylon, assured them that God had not forgotten them. We’re not in exile. We live in the freest and most prosperous country in history. We’re so connected to each other electronically, it’s as if we can’t get away. We have no privacy at all. So why do we feel like exiles? How do we know God hasn’t forgotten us?

In teaching the disciples to pray, Jesus first cautions against babbling and then teaches us to address God as “Father.” In an era where we’re expected to use gender-neutral language, some think that should extend to how we address God. But is that right? Can we begin to grasp the privilege Jesus has given us, to call on God in the most intimate way?

The story of how Jesus forgave and healed a paralyzed man who had been lowered by his friends through a hole in the roof. If the God who spoke everything into being actually stepped into the world in the person of Jesus Christ, it would have to be the most important event in history. It would mean that you would want to do anything you could to get yourself and your friends close to Jesus. What are you doing to get close to Jesus?

This is the famous passage where Jesus seems to say that there is one sin that is unforgivable. Is that true? Did Jesus mean that literally, or is something deeper at work here? Jesus was always coming into conflict with the religious leaders of his day. They were so confident that they were in the right, that they couldn’t see the incarnate God standing in front of them. Do you know people who are so self-righteous that they can’t see the truth? How do you guard against self-righteousness in yourself?

The story of how God sent the Prophet Elijah in need of a poor, marginalized, Gentile widow. No matter who we are, we insist on being self-sufficient. Yet the greatest blessings of God come when we give up control of our own destiny. How do we work through our fears to trust God as Elijah did?

This is the day on the church calendar where we celebrate Jesus’ ascension. Do we know what Jesus was ascending to do? To understand Jesus’ famous assurance in John 14:1, “In my Father’s house are many rooms,” we need to go back to the previous chapter. Jesus is glorified by God and that glorification is for us too.

The story of Jesus sending out the seventy-two, who come back rejoicing of their ministry success. “Is This It?” is the title of an article (3-6-23) by Wall Street Journal columnist Rachel Feintzeig, exploring why earthly success doesn’t seem to satisfy. Jesus knows the answer, and he points the disciples to what ultimately matters. How do we keep our own quest for success in perspective?

King David wrote, “I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” The historic strength of First Church has always been to keep Jesus Christ at the center of everything it does. What does it mean to “keep your eyes on the Lord?” How do we do that in a world that wants to pull us apart? How does God keep us from being shaken?

Twenty years after the Resurrection, the Apostle Paul explains the Gospel. Popular thinking says, “all religions are the same and lead to the same place.” Do you know why that is not true? Do you understand the difference between “gospel” and “religion?” Do you know what makes the Christian faith unique?

Begins a 40 Day Celebration of Easter.

After Jesus’ triumphal entry on Palm Sunday, he went to the temple and drove out the money changers and the buyers and sellers of sacrifices. In John 2:19-21, Jesus explained what this meant. Jesus said, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” What was Jesus talking about? Do we see how this statement transforms our understanding of worship?

A woman anoints Jesus with expensive perfume and is rebuked by those present. But Jesus defends her, saying that she will be remembered wherever the gospel is preached. The Centrality of the Cross, #5. The woman who anointed Jesus with expensive perfume has become one of the most famous people in history. How is this scene a preview and explanation of the cross?

Jesus puts himself into danger by crossing the Sea of Galilee into Gentile territory and healing a demon possessed man. The Centrality of the Cross, #3. Our church is in the middle the city, where some of the most hurting people live. Who will go into danger to help them?

At the Lord’s Supper, Jesus predicts his betrayal. The Centrality of the Cross, #2. The phrase, “Very truly I tell you” is one simple word in Greek, “Amen.” But when Jesus says, “Amen,” what follows is of utmost importance. Do we understand the meaning of Jesus being betrayed by his closest friends?

As the cross comes closer, Jesus’ parables against the religious insiders get more pointed, making them even more angry. Begins the Lenten Series, “The Centrality of the Cross.” The cross is the central truth and symbol of the Christian faith. Every minister of this church has taken a vow to uphold the cross for 250 years. Why is the cross so important? How did Jesus understand his own cross? What did he have to say about it?

The Apostle Peter interprets the meaning of the Transfiguration. Standing Stones #6 First Church has always been built on the foundation of the unshakable truth of God’s word. How do we live into that truth in our time, when we have to compete with the “clever stories” of the culture?

Peter encourages Jesus followers to stand firm amid persecution. Our unique church building is a source of pride for us and a treasure for the city. But do we see how God has faithfully built his people together as “living stones” for all these years?

The message today is drawn from Solomon’s dedication of the temple. It also reprises the sermon of Maitland Alexander of April 16, 1905, at the dedication of the current church building. Standing Stones #4. We’re bombarded by all kinds of claims every day. Social media magnifies those claims in ways that were unimaginable when Maitland Alexander dedicated our current church building in 1905. How do we proclaim the truth of God’s unfailing Word in our time?

After God delivered the Israelites from the Philistines, Samuel memorialized the victory by setting up a stone and calling it “Ebenezer.” Standing Stones #3. Many people today seem to think that, “Of course God blesses us. That’s his job.” But if we think that, how will we ever recognize the myriad ways God blesses us when we don’t deserve it?

After the Israelites crossed the Jordan River into the Promised Land, God commanded them to erect a memorial to remind future generations where God had stopped the water and the people had safely crossed on dry land. Standing Stones #2 - Can we explain to our children what the standing stones of the Jordan meant? Can we explain what the stones in our church building mean?

Jacob had a dream of heaven opened and angels ascending and descending. He realized that God was there and he had missed it, so he made a memorial out of the stone he used for a pillow. Begins a new series called “Standing Stones” in celebration of the church’s 250th anniversary. In the Old Testament, God commanded that his people erect stone monuments to remind them of God’s faithfulness. The stones of our sanctuary remind us of God’s faithfulness to this congregation through the years.

Revisiting the story of the Magi, the most improbable Christmas visitors. The Magi were the highly priestly class of Persia. Pagans, idol worshippers, who made their living interpreting the movement of the stars. How could it be that the people you would least expect to be there are included in the birth narrative of the King of Kings?

Rev. Tom Hall explores the meaning of Christmas according to Luke.

There are all kinds of names for Jesus in the Bible, but the last name Jesus gives himself is the “Bright Morning Star.” We live in a time of pessimism and darkness, and sometimes the darkness seems to be winning. But as surely as the sun will rise and bring a new day, so Jesus Christ will come and dispel the darkness of the world.

The famous prophecy of Isaiah, that out of Jesse’s lineage would come a King, a rose, to bring victory and peace. In what ways is Jesus the Savior, a rose? Does your faith allow you to see God bringing new life into places where all seems lost?

The Advent sermon series is based on the beautiful hymn we’re using for the Introit, “People Look East.” Each week, we will take the image of Christ from a verse and develop that image. When we are expecting company, we tidy up the house and put everything in order. How would we prepare if we really expected Love Incarnate to come and live with us?

Everything, absolutely everything, is infused with the grace of God. Do we see God’s grace in everything? Are we thankful for it?

One of the classic theories of the atonement (how God saves us) is the “ransom” theory. This is what Jesus tells the disciples he has done for us; he’s “ransomed” us, bought us back at the cost of his life. The message this week features an imaginary encounter with Francis Herron, the minister of First Church from 1811 to 1850. Early in Herron’s ministry, the church was literally bankrupt, and the sheriff put the church building and lot up for sale to pay its creditors. Herron purchased everything with his own money, redeeming the church from its creditors. (Part of a series on church history in anticipation of our 250th anniversary next year).

Jesus’ puzzling (to us) parable of the employer who pays the same amount to five different groups of workers, even though they didn’t all work the same amount of time. We like to think that we ought to “get what we deserve.” But do we really dare to ask God to give us what we deserve? The good news is that Jesus got what we deserved so that when we believe, we get what he deserved.

Jesus’ most famous parable. This passage has often been titled the “Prodigal Son.” But there are two sons in the story. At the end of the parable, which one was farther away from God, the one who lost everything in wild living, or the one who stayed home and did his duty?

Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you.” Does that mean he will give us everything we want? Probably not, unless we have his wisdom, and ask after we know everything he knows. “Body and Soul” #5. How do we respond to what Jesus Christ has done for us? Are we grateful? What does a grateful life look like? Covers Q&A 86-115.

The Apostle Paul teaches how the Holy Spirit transforms us after we start to believe. “Body and Soul” #4. This week, we’re looking at what the Heidelberg Catechism teaches about the Holy Spirit, and especially the Spirit’s work in transforming our very nature into people who are more loving, joyful, peaceful, and kind. Covers Q&A 53-85.

Can we begin to imagine how far Jesus Christ had to stoop to become one with us? Can we imagine how high he lifts us up? “Body and Soul” #3. How might we live, what comfort would we have, if we really believed Jesus Christ was at the side of God interceding personally for us? Covers Q&A 26-52

The lesson this week is the Apostle Paul’s powerful indictment of those who know of God, but intentionally choose to live as if God doesn’t exist. “Body and Soul” #2. Sin is when we make something more important to us than God. By definition, sin makes us miserable. Why do we go on pursuing the things that make us miserable? Covers Q&A 2-25.

The most famous (and most comforting) words of the Heidelberg Catechism come in the first Question and Answer. Do you believe that you belong, body and soul, in life and in death, to Christ? How does that make you feel? Begins a new fall series “Body and Soul,” a six-week study of the Heidelberg Catechism. The study will coincide with the kickoff of Sunday School. The purpose of the study is to refresh everyone on the basics of the faith and acquaint everyone with the catechism, one of the most beloved teaching tools for 450 years. Covers the most famous Q&A if the catechism, #1.

The great passage on the incarnation. The author of Hebrews said we were “made a little lower than the angels.” But in becoming one with us, incredibly, the author of Hebrews claims that Jesus was “made a little lower than the angels” too. Inspired by the 2020 book, Why We Drive, by Matthew Crawford, a professor of political philosophy and a motorcycle mechanic. Crawford saws that exercising our freedom to choose and using our bodies to move through the world help make us truly human. Why didn’t God create a race of robots who obeyed him perfectly? Why did God send his son into the world? Wouldn’t it be easier to just beam faith into our heads?

We forget that the wonderful news of the birth of the Messiah was first met with terror. How do we learn to look past our fears and live in the wonder of God with us?

In this beautiful psalm of praise and worship, King David sought just one thing, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord. If you are afraid and worried, do you take time to “gaze upon the beauty of the Lord” as King David did? The world does its best to keep us anxious, with a steady stream of bad news. The only way to combat it is to take time, again and again, to reflect on the beauty of God.

The strange story of God making a covenant with Abraham How do we know that God keeps his promises? The great patriarch Abraham wanted to know, don’t we all? The Old Testament way of making a contract seems bizarre to us today, but in this strange scene, it foreshadows the Good News of Jesus Christ.

The famous story of Jesus, in the boat with the disciples, calming the storm. Do we see Jesus going through the storms of life with us? Read the stories of Jesus healing and ministering in Mark chapters 3 and 4. Imaging the scenes. Imagine how exhausted Jesus must have been, both by the excruciating work and the misunderstanding of his own family. Why would be expect our lives to be neat and tidy, especially if we minister in his name?

In this psalm, King David asks, “What is mankind that you are mindful of them?” “What are you afraid of?” #5. One of our greatest fears is to live a life with no meaning. This psalm gives some of the greatest affirmation anywhere to the worth of human beings. How does this great affirmation help us deal with our fear of insignificance?

Explores the great privilege we have to become children of God and to call God “Father.” “What are you afraid of?” #4. Fatherhood is under siege these days. A great percentage of children today are raised with no father in the home. But what if we could recover the Biblical understanding of God as Father? What if we understood God’s forgiveness, steadfastness, and his unfailing love?

Celebrating God’s sending of the Holy Spirit and Pentecost, and celebrating the vastness and goodness of God’s creation, sustained by the Spirit. “What are you afraid of?” #3. For all time, human beings have looked at the vastness of creation as evidence of the love, joy, power, and creativity of God. How does celebrating all that deal with our fears?

God told Abraham, “Now I know that your fear God.” What does it mean to fear God? “What are you afraid of?” #2. Of all the things that we fear in life, losing a child might be the greatest fear. Yet God called Abraham to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. How does the “Fear of God” keep our other fears in perspective?

Some of the greatest news of the Christian faith is also some of the most overlooked. Jesus’ ascension means that humanity has been joined to God. Humanity includes us. Begins a short series, “What are you afraid of?” exploring the fears so many of us face today and what God has done about them. What greater proof could we ask for that we are valued by God than Jesus Christ being raised in his earthly body to God in heaven? Do you believe that you too will be exalted by God one day?

This Easter we consider Mark’s account of the first Easter. The women disciples were unprepared for what they found that morning: the stone rolled away and an angel sitting where Jesus body had been. Two millennia later, are we any better prepared for the implications of the empty tomb? The story of the first Easter from the Gospel of Mark begins in the most mysterious way, with the women disciples running away from the tomb in fear. Why do you think Mark told the story this way? Do you think it adds or takes away from its credibility?