In 2009 the Lord brought a strong call to the church to be a house of prayer for all nations. As we approach almost a decade of following that call Pastor Scott brings some needed assessment to how we are doing. The message is a reminder of the key ideas God spoke to the church in 2009 and a fresh motivation to press in. The last part of the message includes several practical initiatives unveiled which are intended to foster this renewed emphasis on prayer.
Standalone Sermons: Showing No Partiality
This particular Sunday was special as it was the Sunday before the launch of the CityLove initiative. The main message from the Word came from Sarah Batchelor who works as an engineer in Boston who has been attending, serving, and loving the Ren community for over 6 years now. She gave us a very fresh “laypersons” perspective on the story in Acts 10 when the Gospel expanded to the gentiles. Pastor Scott followed up the message with some practical exhortations on how this call to reach all kinds of people plays out in the local church. The double sermon morning was like a one-two punch to motivate the church to fulfill her mission with great passion in this season while there’s still time!
Standalone Sermons: Take Heed
It is common to see people become Christians with great joy, get involved for a season but then fall away. This happens all the time for a variety of reasons. It might be the allure of sin or the pursuit of money or just plain busyness that draws them away. It is a fight for Christians to endure through the years and cross the finish line strong. Satan and the forces of darkness work tirelessly to tear Christians away from simple devotion to Jesus. It’s a daily war and it’s a war that doesn’t end until we breathe our last breath. Pastor Scott brings a strong warning about what to watch out for on the Christian journey. Strong exhortations are given about what it takes to stand firm till the end. The message is rooted in Paul’s words to the church at Corinth found in 2 Corinthians 11. This message was given on baptism Sunday with new believers in mind but the message is an important reminder for all who desire to follow Christ till the end.
Standalone Sermons: Compassion for the Poor
God is shaping us into a culture of compassion, a community that leans into empathy, a community that shares God’s compassion, kindness and love for the poor. In Scriptures we see God’s love for the poor burst out of the pages. From Moses to Jesus we see that common thread of concern and care for the poor. In this message, Nate looks at some of the themes we see in the Scriptures regarding God's care and concern for the poor. We realize that for us to tap into compassion for the poor is to sync up with the heartbeat of God.
Standalone Sermons: MLK Sunday 2018
Martin Luther King was one of the greatest men shaping our country in the last 100 years. He was the leading voice of the civil rights movement in the 20th century. He not only was a tremendous orator but also risked his life for the cause of bringing freedom to others. He was imprisoned over 20 times. He was stabbed. He was hated and suffered constant death threats. Eventually he was assassinated in 1968 at the young age of 39. He was a burning and shining light, a prophet who articulated the particular injustices of blacks and pressed for change with a fierce urgency. This message probes into the life and message of Dr. King but then takes us into the present day to consider injustices now. Scott discusses modern racism, as well as, the sufferings of the homeless, victims of sex trafficking, widows, fatherless, unborn children, refugees, women in the workplace and so on. Verses from Isaiah 58, Amos 5-6, Isaiah 1, Proverbs 31 and 1John3 are expounded to show clearly that following God is synonymous with doing the work of justice. Some practical encouragements are given to help us climb out of apathy and into the works of Jesus. Right after the sermon one of the other Ren Ministers, Sam Jean-Baptiste, shares a personal experience to show that racism is still very much a problem in today’s world.
Standalone Sermons: Pracht Mission Trip Update
In recent days Becky and Nate Pracht went to Uganda on a missions trip. In this message they share lessons learned on the trip and especially press home the call to love one another. This is a message not only for those interested in global missions but for those who desire to love the community of believers deeper.
Standalone Sermons: Healed vs. Cured
If you have ever experienced a physical injury, you know how frustrating it is to have limited mobility. Yet immobility is not contained to merely the physical realm, and at times we can feel paralyzed by our own thoughts or life's circumstances. In this sermon, Yale University campus missionary and Divinity School student Nia Campinha-Bacote gives us a glimpse into how God might be calling us to respond in the moments when we feel stuck. By looking at the Biblical account of a man who was paralyzed for thirty-eight years and then encounters Jesus, Nia challenges us to ask the question, "Do we desire to be cured or healed?"
Standalone Sermons: Our Glory
How does God regard our need to find significance, to feel valuable and confident? And what are we supposed to do with this need? Our guest missionary, Lorenna, discusses a story in the life of King David to find answers to these questions. Ultimately, it is Jesus’ death on the cross that unleashes the greatest confidence and the deepest humility we could ever experience.
Standalone Sermons: Pastor Scott's Comments on Charlottesville
"What has been happening in recent days is absolutely appalling but not surprising. I think most of us are aware that racism is alive and well, not just in a small band of white supremacists, but in a significant portion of American society. I'm certain it has sunk into every human heart to some extent which is why we all need to constantly ask God to search our hearts. We should always be on the side of promoting justice and defending those who are being oppressed. It's our calling as followers of Jesus."
Standalone Sermons: Fostering Hope
Jonathan Reid of Fostering Hope delivers a challenging sermon on the adoption of God's people and the responsibility that comes with it. What does this responsibility entail? The imitation of Christ through the selfless fostering and adoption of orphans into the family of God.