Renewal Church Podcast

The burden of leadership can be great. In Exodus 18, God was teaching the church the importance of sharing that burden with others. By looking at this text and others in Scripture we will discuss why it is so important for no leader to lead alone. Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

In this text, we will consider the question, does God actually care about our needs? We all go through this life wanting and needing. We may wonder, what does God think about my wants and my needs? Is He aware of them? Is He making a way to provide? Does He think my request is foolish? Or, does He want and desire to meet my request? Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

Sometimes, in order to see the full plan of God, we must trust in His leading. Even when it seems that He is leading in the opposite direction. As God’s people approach the Red Sea, they question if they are really going in the right direction. But, just like in our lives, God’s plan will demonstrate that His ways are better and higher than ours. Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

The Passover demonstrates the great redemption of God, the judgement of God, and sets the stage for the final Passover that would occur years later in Jerusalem. In this text, we learn the cost of forgiveness and the lengths that God will go to make sure that His mercy is known. Just as the blood of the lamb showed mercy from God’s judgment, we will be reminded that the blood of the Lamb ensures that we are found to be without sin, and that can know the grace and mercy of God too. Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

God’s plan of redemption begins to rapidly unfold as He sends ten plagues into Egypt. Plague-after-plague, God is declaring something very specific. God is going make sure that it’s not just the Egyptians and the Israelites who understand this message. He is going to make sure that the entire world understands who He is and that there is no other God like Him. The plagues demonstrate the sovereignty, power, and majesty of the Lord for all nations to see. Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

On Elder nomination Sunday we will remember that God will use who He chooses to use. It is not based on what we are capable of. It is solely based on His perfect will. Even though Moses is quick to point out his weakness and failures God will still continue to use him to accomplish His purposes. Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

Sometimes the weight of the world is so heavy that it deafens us to what the Lord wants us to hear. This is what we see in God’s people, Israel. They have been beaten down to the point where their spirit is broken. So, the question is, how do we find healing in our spirit when we find ourselves in that same place? How does God take a broken spirit and renew it? It makes sense that Scripture continues with the genealogy of Moses and Aaron — God shows us the history of his remembrance and grace. He has been faithful to Moses and Aaron up until this point, and He will continue to be faithful to His people. In the same way He will be faithful to us. Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

Sometimes, it is difficult to understand the reality that God has promised to us: freedom, joy, and restoration. And yet, many times, the road to those things zig-and-zag through a lot of pain. Here in this moment, God allows more pain and suffering for His people, before He will fully step in to free them. At the end of the chapter Moses leaves us with a question that is still asked by us today, in 2024: “Why?” Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

Do we always respond to the call of God with joy and confidence? Probably not. Moses sure didn’t. Even after God displays to him His miraculous power, he still doubts if he can be used by God. Rather than focusing on who He is, we set our focus on where we fall short. This chapter is a reminder that even though we do have weakness, at the end of day, when the power of God is involved, what others will see is not our weaknesses, but His glorious power! Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

Exodus 3 is one of the significant pivot points in our Scriptures. As Moses is in exile in the wilderness, God speaks to him through a burning bush. Their conversation set forth a trajectory for the people of God that is still felt today. As God calls Moses into His eternal purposes we learn that God has heard the cries of His people, and He comes to intervene. Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

How many of us today still groan in our slavery and cry out for help? Our slavery today comes in various forms. It separates us from our God and we wonder, "does God care?" This text in Exodus reminds us that God does hear us and He does care that we remain in slavery. And just as He remembered the promises He made to the Israelites, He remembers His promises to us. Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

Sometimes due to our own decisions or the mere circumstances of life expose our deepest weaknesses. Like Moses, we are forced to flee into the wilderness where we are left searching for hope and meaning in life. All throughout the Bible the wilderness is a place of refining. A refining of who we are, what we value, and what we believe. Before God sends Moses to Pharaoh, He sends him into the wilderness. Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

The people of God face horrible tragedy as the king of Egypt decrees that every newborn male be killed. In this text we see God’s provision and care as he begins to unfold his plan to bring His people to freedom. In our lives today we can hold onto the provision and care of God when we face grave darkness. Life can be very cruel sometimes, and though God does not always spare us from that cruelty we can hold onto the promise that God is with us and leading us to something better. Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

In the book of Exodus, we discover that God’s people have been enslaved in Egypt. In order to understand what unfolds throughout the rest of the book, we must first understand what has already happened. In week 1, we will look back at what God has already done and what He has declared to do throughout the book of Genesis. Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

Salvation is purposed by the Father, accomplished by the Son, and applied by the Holy Spirit. Without the Spirit’s agency in salvation, all that Christ has accomplished brings no value to us. As Scripture uniformly presents, the Spirit graciously, effectively, and permanently gives us Christ Jesus, and every blessing He has secured. The Spirit is power manifested, illuminating in our knowledge and intimacy with God, and the guarantee of our salvation. Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

Access through grace. Without Jesus, humanity has no hope of having access to the triune God. He is the bridge that allows us to cross the chasm of sin that lies between us and God, and He has come to reconcile and redeem His people to the Godhead. Through the Son, we can have fellowship with the Father and be empowered by the Spirit to intimately know Him. The Son is the Word of God; by His words, all things were created and continue to be sustained. Ultimately, in the Son, what we see is undeserving grace. Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

Time-and-time again in the Scriptures, we see God referred to as a “Father.” In the Old Testament, we see the people of God referred to as His sons. In the New Testament, Jesus will speak of His Father continuously. In God the Father, we see the pinnacle of strength and love. He is strong, but He is kind. We relate to God as Father through Jesus the Son. Because of Christ’s redeeming work for us, we share in His Sonship by adoption. Through God the Father, we see the purposes of God fulfilled in His sovereignty. He is intentional, omnipotent, omniscient, and good in all that He does. Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

While the name “Trinity” is not found in the Scriptures, there is more than enough evidence in God’s Word to justify the name. The Trinity is the foundation for how the believer understands who God is, how He works and interacts with Himself, and how He interacts with His people. In this message, we will do our best to grasp the concept of a triune God and ask the question, “How does the triune God interact with His people?” Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

As we conclude the book of Colossians, we will hear Paul’s conclusion to his beautiful letter to the church in Colossae. He gives them four things to continue to do as a church and gives his final greetings. The question we will answer as we leave this book is, “Now what?” How do we apply everything we have learned about Christ, the world, and ourselves every day? Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

We have a new life in Christ that is continually renewed by Him. What does it look like to live that life, and how does it influence the relationships we have? Paul explains that we need to allow the Word of God to shape the way we think and the way we live. We should interact with others in a way that is pleasing to God. He gives us some practical things to be mindful of in the areas of marriage, the home, and the workplace. The question that we all have to answer is, “Does my life reflect the grace of Jesus?” Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

In this text, we see Paul’s arguments work like this: “You have been, therefore, so then.” He will say you have been raised with Christ, so put to death the things that are not consistent with your new identity. Then you can put on the things that fit your new identity. Too many of us are stuck living a life that is consumed with things that are no more. We live as if we have not been raised with Christ instead of embracing the new identity that Christ has purchased on our behalf. Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

Finally, Paul begins to discredit the exact nature of the false teachings in the church in Colossae. In similar ways, we still see these same false teachings today. They come in the form of legalism, false beliefs about the requirements to be a follower of Christ, and ultimately a false (or even self-serving) understanding of who Christ is. These false teachings fail to, as Paul says, “stop the indulgence of the flesh.” Therefore, we must be leery of teachings that only change the externals but do nothing for the transformation of the heart. Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

Do we truly understand what happened when Jesus died on the cross? The horrific, terrible, beautiful, and wonderful reality that God became a man and spilled his blood is the most important moment in all of history. In that moment, everything changed. The scope of history changed, our status before a holy God changed, and the aim of our lives changed. The debt that sin created is now gone, the death of our bodies has turned to life, and our souls have found new hope in the reality of the cross. Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

Typically, when we encounter false teachings about the doctrine of Christ, it isn’t some crazy argument out of left field. These arguments are, as Paul says, “plausible.” They tend to make some sort of logical sense, are appealing to us, and, with a few twists of the Scriptures, are believable. This is why it is important that we truly know the Scriptures, that our souls are rooted in Christ, and that we surround ourselves with a reliable and faithful community of believers. Are you aware of the false teachings that are present in our lives today? They are all around us, and if we fail to pay attention, we can easily begin to follow a gospel that is not actually true. Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

The Apostle Paul expands on the hope that is found in the Gospel, as his message becomes very personal. He explains the nature of his work and his reasons for doing it. Paul was a tent-maker by trade, but that vocation did not define his life or his mission. Paul’s true labor, of which tent-making was a means to the end, was to proclaim the riches the church has been given in Christ, so everyone would be complete in Him. Our hope is that we would not only be reminded of the treasure we have been given in Christ, but also re-examine the Gospel work we have been called to, and why we labor for it. Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

For each of us there was a time when we were not “in Christ.” The Bible uses language to describe the reality of this separation and death. Here in Colossians Paul tells us that we were “alienated” and “hostile.” But, although we were “evil in our deeds,” the Bible will also remind us that there has been a reconciliation through His body and His flesh. So, the question is, “what is more powerful? Our evil deeds, or the sacrifice of His body and His flesh?” According to Paul, the result is the redemption of our souls — we are presented as holy! Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

Perhaps one of the most theological rich sections on the Doctrine of Christ. In this text we learn of the true divine nature of Christ. All things were created by Him, and through Him. Christ holds everything we see together. He existed before anything else, so everything that we see submits to Him. He is the standard to which everything else compares. What is His end goal? To make peace, and to reconcile us through His very own blood. What a glorious gospel we have in Jesus! Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

The church in Colossae in danger of syncretism, which is the combination of several religious practices. The believers in this church were in danger of losing the truth of Christ by forsaking the truth of the Gospel and adopting practices from other religions. Paul wants to remind them of the Gospel that they first heard from Epaphras (v. 5, 7) and so Paul begins to lay out the appropriate responses to the Gospel in verses 9-12. He finishes this section off by reminding them of the truth that we all need to remember each and every day. That God has transferred us from one kingdom to another — the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of the Son. The question for us is, which kingdom are we living for today? Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

Renewal Church exists so that people will be made new in Jesus, grow in Jesus, and be released into the world for Jesus. Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

Glory and peace are two words that cannot be separated. In this verse, we see a wonderful truth: Your peace depends on what you glorify. If you glorify yourself or the things of this world, you will not find peace. You will find fear, anxiety, and dissatisfaction. For those who are focused on the glory of God, they will find peace in the coming of Jesus Christ. Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.” The coming of Christ is the greatest proclamation that has ever occurred. This proclamation, for the one who truly hears it, can only be received with joy. God has not called us into a life of fear, but He has called us into a life of joy. God put the shepherds in a specific place for a specific purpose so that they would experience the joy of the coming of the Lord. In the same way, God has placed us in a specific place for a specific purpose so that we too can experience the joy of the coming of the Lord. Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

As Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem due to the decree from Caesar, it would seem that the circumstances surrounding the birth of Christ are outside of God’s control. On the contrary, in the midst of the chaos, we see that God is sovereign over everything in this story. As Mary gives birth in a manger, we see a long-awaited promise fulfilled—God now dwells with us. In the providence of God, we see His love for His people through the birth of His Son. Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

In Isaiah 9, the people are in darkness, but as Isaiah communicates his vision, he talks about the present as if it were already the past. He speaks of a promise that has been mentioned over and over throughout the Old Testament—someone is coming. Week 1 of Advent is known as the “prophecy candle," as we consider the prophecies that speak of the coming of Christ, it is good to remember that the coming of Christ was planned and purposed many years before His arrival. We can have hope because, in the providence of God, He moves the pieces on the board as He pleases. That is good news for us! Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

By considering King David's final words, we will be able to consider the question, "What do we want the rest of our days to look like?" Looking back on David's life, we will ask, "What defined his life?" Was he a good guy? Was he a bad guy? One thing is certain: he was a complicated character in the Bible, yet the Bible also says he was a man after God's heart. David is a man from whom we can learn a lot, but his greatest contribution is through the one who would come from his line–the Son of David. Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

WARNING: This sermon contains mature themes that may not be suitable for children. Please use your discernment when listening. As the consequence of his sin, David is now confronted with the destruction and chaos of his family. The question for us is how we should respond when confronted with the consequences of our sin. First, we see David admitting his fault, and it is in that position that we can find peace with God. Second, we witness David weep as he ascends the Mount of Olives as a sign of mourning. Third, we witness David move forward in humility, not making excuses for his past, but steadfast in his determination to glorify God in his remaining days. In the end, we are left with the realization that none of us, not even David, are righteous. Many years later, the Son of David would also mourn on the Mount of Olives, but this King would be righteous. This King would be obedient to the point of death, and it is through His death that we find forgiveness. Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

Sin usually begins small and, if embraced, evolves into something destructive. So far, we have watched the rise of David; he's been faithful to God, conquered kingdoms, and lived a life of triumph in the Lord. However, we can see in this moment that none of us are immune to the traps of sin. If we are not vigilant, we are all capable of succumbing to temptation. The question is, do our deepest sins define who we are in the eyes of the Lord? How do we discover peace in the midst of shame, and lasting freedom in God's forgiveness? What if we are the ones who have been violated? How are we to think of God and others when we have been violated? Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

For the first time in David's life, he is in a position to follow his heart and do whatever he wants. David's desire is to build a house for the Lord. David goes to bed one night with a plan and a desire, but God has different plans for him. He informs him that he will not be the one to build a house for the Lord, but that God has a different plan. We've all done it: we make plans in the name of the Lord, only to discover that God has a different plan for us than we thought. The question is, how do we respond to those moments? Do we respond with trust in the Lord, or do we fight against the plan of God? Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

We witness David transporting the Ark of the Lord in 2 Samuel 6, and as they journey, a man named Uzzah reaches out to grab the Ark to save it from falling to the ground. As a result, God struck Uzzah and killed him. What follows are some of the most interesting Scriptures in the Bible. Why would God punish Uzzah for trying to do what appears to be a good and noble thing? Even David shows his anger at God for killing Uzzah. We've all undoubtedly shaken our fists at God when he does things that don't make sense to us. In order to understand this story, we must first understand the true holiness of God and our deep sinfulness. We do not understand God's judgment because we do not comprehend the wickedness of our sinfulness. In the presence of the Lord, we see the great holiness of God and the great joy of His people. Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

While Saul is set on killing David, David is set on obedience to the Lord. When the moment of opportunity comes for David to have his revenge against Saul, David submits himself to complete obedience to the Lord. In this moment, David could kill Saul and no one would blame him, but David knows taking Saul’s life would be an act of disobedience towards God. Instead of revenge, David chooses to trust God with his life, and does what right even when it doesn’t match his circumstances. Will we show integrity in the midst of our circumstances? Will we trust the Lord even when it doesn’t make sense? Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

Imagine losing your career, your family, your best friend, your safety, and the respect of everyone who knew you all in one day. That all of a sudden the walls around you began to close in, and life as you knew it became a thing of the past, leaving you alone and unclear of God's plan. This is where David is found in 1 Samuel 22 – alone and in a cave. What exactly does David do? He does the only thing he knows how to do. He cries out to his God for help. Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

Friendship is one of the most influential relationships in our life. A good friend can provide us encouragement, joy, and growth, whereas a bad friend can bring us sin, despair, and a great deal of grief. By looking at the friendship of David and Jonathan, we will see what it looks like to have a true friend in the Lord. Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

True courage comes from trusting in God, not in what we are capable of achieving. David trusted God as he stepped up to defend his God and his people from the giant, Goliath. Goliath's defeat foreshadows what is to come. Years later, the enemy of God would be defeated on the cross by a King, and the people of God would see victory and freedom. Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

We meet David the shepherd in Chapter 16. He is the one God would anoint as king, yet to Samuel and the rest of his brothers, he lacks the appearance of a king. However, as we will see, appearances are not always what they appear to be. Even today, having the appearance of a leader does not guarantee that you will be a good leader. God is not looking for intelligence, gifts, or looks, but rather, He is looking for a heart that desires Him. Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

The book of 1 Samuel begins with the prayers of a lowly woman named Hannah, not with a great King. Her prayer at the start of the book is essentially a synopsis of 1 and 2 Samuel. At the start of the book, the people of Israel demand that God provide them with a king. The book of 1 Samuel is the story of Israel’s search for a king. Ultimately, only God could be their true King, but He had allowed them to have an earthly king to mirror His reign. The first king of Israel was a gifted character by the name of Saul. Unfortunately for Israel, Saul was more concerned with his own glory than with the welfare of the people. Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

Worship matters - it is what we are made for and it is what makes us who we are. Liturgy is a formative, love-shaping ritual - or simply put: the means by which we shape and form our hearts and minds, and consequently our behavior. Who we are right now is the product of liturgies, whether they are holy and correct or not, because we are creatures of habit; and liturgy habituates us. We must be careful to not succumb to the competing liturgies the world offers and instead day by day submit ourselves to ones that are holy and redirect ourselves back to the one who created us and redeemed us. Worship matters, but ultimately correct worship, in spirit and in truth, matters the most because we all worship something at any given time. The question becomes, “who, or what, are we worshipping”, because what we worship shapes who we are. Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

We all want to belong, and the beauty of the gospel is that God has not called us to follow Him as individuals in this world, but He has called us to belong to the family of faith. As Ephesians says, we are “members” of the household of God. God has called us to belong to Him, belong to each other, to encourage, love, and display the gospel to the world. Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

In Acts 6, the church is growing. With every growing church, there are growing pains. There are things that must be addressed and adjusted as time goes on. The issue in the early church was that the physical needs of the church had increased. This had created a situation where the Elders of the church were being forced to limit the ministry of prayer and teaching so that those physical needs could be met. This is where we see God begin to call and task servant leaders with meeting the needs of the church. Paul will refer to the church as a “body with many parts.” Everyone has a role in serving the church; some have been called to specific tasks, but everyone has been called to serve the people of God. Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

Who is responsible for leading God’s people? Scripture makes it clear that the church is under one chief Shepherd — Jesus Christ. Jesus is building and leading His people for the glory of His name. We also see in Scripture that God has called “under-shepherds” to lead His people to know, learn, and to see His goodness and grace. These leaders are known as Elders, Overseers, and Shepherds. The office of elder is seen in Scripture to provide spiritual leadership and protection for God’s people. Elders are known as “shepherds” to the flock of God’s blood bought people. They shepherd by modeling what it looks like to follow Jesus, by teaching God’s Word, by protecting and disciplining God’s people, and by discerning God’s direction for His people. Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

Where did the idea of the “church” come from? The idea of church has taken on many different meanings throughout history. How can we know that we are living out the Biblical call to belong and be God’s church? By looking closely at God’s Word, we will attempt to define what the church is and what the church isn’t. Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net