Second on the Mount

Religion & Spirituality

About

No matter where you are on the journey of faith, God’s Word has something to say to you. Second on the Mount is a collection of sermons from Second Presbyterian Church on Mountain Avenue in Roanoke, VA. Listen to the encouraging words of ministers George Anderson, Elizabeth Link, Jen Brothers, and occasional guests as we journey together, finding direction by following Jesus. We hope you’ll return to this podcast, visit our website www.spres.org for more, or visit us in person!

Episodes

Marks of a Disciple 2026-06-03
Romans 12:9-21 Sermon by the Rev. Elizabeth N.H. Link from Trinity Sunday, May 31, 2026. "'Bless those who persecute you.' Can we really do that? "This is where Christianity stops being theoretical. Loving people who love us is not especia…
Breaking Babel 2026-05-28
Acts 2:1-21 Sermon by the Rev. Ben Brannan from Pentecost Sunday, May 24, 2026. Read the manuscripts of our latest sermons at: https://www.spres.org/worship/sermons/
Look at the Seed and See the Bush 2026-05-20
Mark 4:30-32 Sermon by Dr. George C. Anderson from Sunday, May 17, 2026. "The greatness of the kingdom is not found in spectacle or domination. Its greatness is found in the life it makes possible… the life it shelters. "Perhaps that is th…
Listen and Look 2026-05-12
Dr. George C. Anderson's sermon on Mark 4:1-20, delivered May 10, 2026, interprets the sea as a place where things unravel and the beach as the intersection of order and chaos, where Jesus chooses to work.
The Widow and the Judge 2026-05-06
This episode features a sermon by Rev. Elizabeth N.H. Link on the passage Luke 18:1-8. The sermon was delivered on Sunday, May 3, 2026.
Fool's Sight 2026-04-27
This sermon by Dr. George C. Anderson on Luke 12:13-22 addresses the spiritual danger of centering life on oneself, leading to a diminished worldview. It contrasts this with the transformative effect of God's presence, where abundance beco…
On This Rock Part VIII: Breakfast on the Beach 2026-04-15
This episode is Part VIII and the conclusion of the Lenten Sermon Series "On This Rock," focusing on John 21 (selected verses). The sermon was delivered by the Rev. Elizabeth N.H. Link on Sunday, April 12, 2026.
On This Rock Part VII: At the Tomb 2026-04-08
This episode, "On This Rock Part VII: At the Tomb," features a sermon by Dr. George C. Anderson on John 20:1-10 from Easter Sunday. It explores Easter as a beginning, emphasizing that Christ is risen regardless of one's faith or life circu…
On This Rock Part VI: Sword in the Garden 2026-04-01
John 18:1-14 Part VI of the Lenten Sermon Series "On This Rock" Sermon by the Rev. Elizabeth N.H. Link from Sunday, March 22, 2026. Read the manuscripts of our latest sermons at: https://www.spres.org/worship/sermons/
On This Rock Part V: The Rebuke 2026-03-26
Matthew 16:21-27 Part V of the Lenten Sermon Series "On This Rock" Sermon by Dr. George C. Anderson from Sunday, March 22, 2026. "This rebuke isn’t just for [Peter]. It’s for us—when the path feels too hard. It shows up in small, ordinary…
On This Rock Part IV: Who Do You Say I Am? 2026-03-16
Matthew 16:13-20 Part IV of the Lenten Sermon Series "On This Rock" Sermon by the Rev. Ben Brannan from Sunday, March 15, 2026. Read the manuscripts of our latest sermons at: https://www.spres.org/worship/sermons/
On This Rock Part III: On This Rock I Will Build My Church 2026-03-10
Matthew 16:13-20 Part III of the Lenten Sermon Series "On This Rock" Sermon by Dr. George C. Anderson from Sunday, March 8, 2026. "The church is not built on Peter’s person or perfection. It is built on the grace that kept calling Peter ba…
On This Rock Part II: Sinking Like a Rock 2026-03-05
Matthew 14:22-33 Part II of the Lenten Sermon Series "On This Rock" Sermon by Dr. George C. Anderson from Sunday, March 1, 2026. "Let’s return to Peter’s shining moment—the moment when he truly models faithfulness. No, it is not when he st…
On This Rock Part I: The Call 2026-02-25
Luke 5:1-11 Part I of the Lenten Sermon Series "On This Rock" Sermon by the Rev. Ben Brannan from Sunday, February 22, 2026. "Simon is not exaggerating here. He is simply telling the truth. His truth. The truth of someone who has reached t…
Can Desire Be Converted? 2026-02-18
Romans 7:7-25 Sermon by Dr. George C. Anderson from Sunday, February 15, 2026. "You already belong to Christ. He loves you. You love him. You already stand in communion with the One whose heart is aligned with the Father’s. "Stay there. Ev…
"Nurture Your Nature" Youth Sunday Sermons 2026 2026-02-12
Genesis 1:1-25 (summarized), 26-27 From Youth Sunday, February 8, 2026. Sermons by graduating seniors Ryan I'Anson (3:34) and Madelyn Lyons (11:42). Our Youth Group theme for the year is "Nurture Your Nature." May God's spirit remind you o…
He Has Told You, O Mortal... 2026-02-03
Micah 6:1-8 Sermon by the Rev. Elizabeth N.H. Link from Sunday, February 1, 2026. Read the manuscripts of our latest sermons at: https://www.spres.org/worship/sermons/
The Hills Are My Home 2026-01-28
Psalm 121, Matthew 19:13-25 Sermon by Dr. George C. Anderson from Sunday, January 25, 2026. "God guards not only our bodies, but our identities. God holds not only our actions, but our worth. In a culture that says we are what we achieve,…
Come and See 2026-01-22
John 1:29-42 Sermon by the Rev. Ben Brannan from Sunday, January 18, 2026. Read the manuscripts of our latest sermons at: https://www.spres.org/worship/sermons/
So Now We Are Friends? 2026-01-12
John 15:12-17 Sermon by Dr. George C. Anderson from Confirmation Sunday, January 11, 2026. "What can be shocking today is when realize that Jesus wants us to be his friend. The kind of friend who speaks for him, acts on his behalf, and bea…
You Are What You Love 2026-01-09
Colossians 3:1-17 *Sermon title comes from James K. A. Smith’s book, You Are What You Love: The Spiritual Power of Habit, published in 2016. Sermon by the Rev. Elizabeth N.H. Link from Sunday, January 4, 2026. "Friends, we worship today at…
Once Upon an Advent Part VI: Jesus in Our Midst 2026-01-02
Matthew 25:31-46 Part VI of the Advent Sermon Series "Once Upon an Advent" Sermon by the Rev. Ben Brannan from the First Sunday of Christmas, December 28, 2025. "There is a temptation to sentimentalize the Christmas season—to wrap it in no…
Once Upon an Advent Part V: Light 2025-12-30
Luke 2:1-20, John 1 Part V of the Advent Sermon Series "Once Upon an Advent" Sermon by Dr. George C. Anderson from Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025. Read the manuscripts of our latest sermons at: https://www.spres.org/worship/sermons/
Once Upon an Advent Part IV: Love 2025-12-24
Luke 1:26-38, I John 4:7-12 Part IV of the Advent Sermon Series "Once Upon an Advent" Sermon by the Rev. Elizabeth N.H. Link from the Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 21, 2025. Read the manuscripts of our latest sermons at: https://www.sp…
Once Upon an Advent Part III: Joy 2025-12-17
Isaiah 35:1-10, Luke 2:8-20 Part III of the Advent Sermon Series "Once Upon an Advent" Sermon by the Rev. Ben Brannan from the Third Sunday of Advent, December 14, 2025. Read the manuscripts of our latest sermons at: https://www.spres.org/…
Once Upon an Advent Part II: Peace 2025-12-09
Isaiah 9:2-7, Luke 3:1-6 Part II of the Advent Sermon Series "Once Upon an Advent" Sermon by Dr. George C. Anderson from the Second Sunday of Advent, December 7, 2025. Read the manuscripts of our latest sermons at: https://www.spres.org/wo…
Once Upon an Advent Part I: Hope 2025-12-04
Isaiah 11 (selected verses), Luke 1 (selected verses) Part I of the Advent Sermon Series "Once Upon an Advent" Sermon by the Rev. Elizabeth N.H. Link from the first Sunday of Advent, November 30, 2025. "No matter where we are or how we fee…
Today, in Paradise 2025-11-26
Luke 23:33-43 Sermon by the Rev. Ben Brannan from Christ the King Sunday, November 23, 2025. Read the manuscripts of our latest sermons at: https://www.spres.org/worship/sermons/
Encouragement 2025-11-17
II Corinthians 1:3–7 Sermon by Dr. George C. Anderson from Sunday, November 16, 2025. • "Sometimes encouragement looks like holding someone steady when they cannot hold steady themselves. • "Sometimes it looks like absorbing the angry word…
The River's Flow 2025-11-04
John 14:1-3 Sermon by Dr. George C. Anderson from All Saints' Sunday, November 2, 2025. "Jesus comforts his disciples with the promise that he goes to prepare a place for them—but even more, that his Spirit will dwell within them now. To b…
When Young Gets Old 2025-11-03
I Samuel 8:4-22, Galatians 1:6-9 Sermon by Dr. George C. Anderson from Sunday, October 26, 2025. "Young People—feeling the pressure to keep up, to prove yourselves, to stay relevant. Remember, your worth is not measured by speed, likes, or…
Seek Shalom 2025-10-22
Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7; Luke 17:11-19 Sermon by the Rev. Elizabeth N.H. Link from Preschool Sunday, October 19, 2025. "It’s what Jesus does over and over again. He gathers the ones we’ve been taught to fear or exclude. He restores a body, and…
Not the Lantern, But the Light 2025-10-20
John 1:6-9, II Corinthians 4:5-7 Sermon by Dr. George C. Anderson from Commitment Sunday, October 12, 2025. "The one essential fact about light is that it is separate from what bears it. • The light of the sun isn’t the sun itself. • The l…
A Place at the Table 2025-10-08
Luke 5:27-32, 17:7-10 Sermon by the Rev. Ben Brannan from World Communion Sunday, October 5, 2025. Read the manuscripts of our latest sermons at: https://www.spres.org/worship/sermons/
The Light We Shine 2025-10-02
***This sermon was originally intended to be a visual experience. We encourage you to watch the original live streamed recording of this sermon on YouTube .*** Video: " The Light We Shine " Thank you to Andrea Boone, Jane Winders Frank, Gi…
Living Church 2025-09-29
Mark 1:21-39, Acts 17: 24-28 Sermon by the Rev. Elizabeth N.H. Link from Sunday, September 21, 2025. "You are the living church when you forgive in a culture of vengeance. You are the living church when you speak truth in the face of lies.…
The Neglected Virtue 2025-09-17
Isaiah 53:2-3, Philippians 4:8 Sermon by Dr. George C. Anderson from Sunday, September 14, 2025. "In the aftermath of [Charlie Kirk's] shooting—as with so many other publicized acts of violence, and the countless unseen ones—we all should…
Show Your Faith 2025-09-16
Exodus 14:10-16 Sermon by the Rev. Ben Brannan from Sunday, September 7, 2025. "The ways in which God is calling you to show your faith might surprise you. It might require courage. It might require you to risk comfort and convenience for…
The Devil Within 2025-09-04
Matthew 4:1-11 Sermon by Dr. George C. Anderson from Sunday, August 31, 2025. "The temptations Jesus faces may sound distant from our lives—turning stones to bread, leaping from a tower, bowing to the devil—but what they represent is very…
Salt and Light 2025-09-02
Matthew 5:13-16 Sermon by the Rev. Elizabeth N.H. Link from our Rally Day Picnic on Sunday, August 24, 2025. Read the manuscripts of our latest sermons at: https://www.spres.org/worship/sermons/
A Strange Fire 2025-08-28
Scripture: Luke 12:49-53 Sermon by Dr. George C. Anderson from Sunday, August 17, 2025. Read the manuscripts of our latest sermons at: https://www.spres.org/worship/sermons/
By Faith 2025-08-25
"By Faith" – Hebrews 11:1-10, 12:1-2 Sermon by Nancy O. Gray, Parish Associate for Visitation, from Sunday, August 10, 2025. Read the manuscripts of our latest sermons at: https://www.spres.org/worship/sermons/
The Armor of God 2025-08-07
"The Armor of God" – Ephesians 6:10-20 Sermon by the Rev. Elizabeth N.H. Link from Sunday, August 3, 2025. Read the manuscripts of our latest sermons at: https://www.spres.org/worship/sermons/
Grace in Letting Go 2025-08-06
"Grace in Letting Go" – John 12:20-26, Philippians 3:7-14 Sermon by Dr. George C. Anderson from Sunday, July 27, 2025. Read the manuscripts of our latest sermons at: https://www.spres.org/worship/sermons/
"Why?" 2025-08-05
"Why?" – Luke 13:1-9 Sermon by Nancy O. Gray, Parish Associate for Visitation, from Sunday, July 20, 2025. Read the manuscripts of our latest sermons at: https://www.spres.org/worship/sermons/
God's Consolation 2025-07-14
"God's Consolation" – II Corinthians 1:3-7 Sermon by Dr. George C. Anderson from Sunday, July 13, 2025. "Your self is a good gift. It helps you dream, build, grow and relate, live your life. But it’s a perishable item. "Thank God you are n…
Burdensome Work 2025-07-07
"Burdensome Work" – Galatians 6:1-16 Sermon by the Rev. Ben Brannan from Sunday, July 6, 2025. "The life of faith was never meant to be lived in silos of self-sufficiency. It is a web of interdependence—each carrying their own load, yes, b…
Let Go, Let God 2025-07-01
"Let Go, Let God" – Matthew 6:25-34 Sermon by Nancy O. Gray, Parish Associate for Visitation, from Sunday, June 29, 2025. Read the manuscripts of our latest sermons at: https://www.spres.org/worship/sermons/
The Blame Game 2025-06-30
"The Blame Game" – Luke 8:26-39 Sermon by the Rev. Ben Brannan from Sunday, June 22, 2025. "Friends, this moment calls us to something deeper. Something braver. Because we live in a world of scapegoating. A world eager to name enemies so w…
Saving Time for What? 2025-06-23
"Saving Time for What?" – Ephesians 5:15-16, Luke 10:38-42 Sermon by Dr. George C. Anderson from Sunday, June 15, 2025. "Ephesians reminds us that if all our time-saving just leads to more rushing and more anxiety, maybe we’re not saving t…