Renewal Church Podcast

Typically, when we talk about the birth of Christ, it’s during Christmas. But the coming of Christ is far too important to mention only once a year. The hypostatic union—Jesus being fully God and fully man—is one of the most remarkable and profound events in history. He walked among us and shared in our human experience, yet, He was completely divine. In this sermon, we will explore the significance of Jesus being both God and man. What does it mean? How was it possible? And why does it matter for us today? Visit us online at: RenewalChurch.net

Jesus served those who misunderstood Him. He served those that persecuted Him. He served those that mistreated Him and His suffering, His submission, led to our salvation. Visit us online at: RenewalChurch.net

Today’s text leads us to the often difficult intersection of religion and politics. The tension between these two worlds is not new; it has existed throughout history, even within the church. Peter encourages believers to hold firmly to their convictions while extending gentleness and love. He advises them not to overthrow the government, yet not to compromise their faith either. Instead, believers are called to stand firm in their allegiance to Jesus, willing to suffer or even die for their Savior if necessary. Peter advocates for this balanced yet courageous approach. By living in a way that honors God, believers can demonstrate the truth and hope of the Gospel, even in the face of hostility and pressure. Visit us online at: RenewalChurch.net

Peter and others throughout scripture assure us that we will be mocked, hated, persecuted, and worse. Our steadfast adherence to Christ's truth becomes compelling testimony in a world where standards change with every thought that flutters in the mind. Even when others misunderstand, mock, or criticize us, if we live with integrity, our lives speak loudly. 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: RenewalChurch.net

Peter and others throughout scripture assure us that we will be mocked, hated, persecuted, and worse. Our steadfast adherence to Christ's truth becomes compelling testimony in a world where standards change with every thought that flutters in the mind. Even when others misunderstand, mock, or criticize us, if we live with integrity, our lives speak loudly. 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: 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: RenewalChurch.net

Peter has now moved us from the vertical to the horizontal. Chapter one was mainly focused on the vertical: how has God shaped our identity? Chapter two is going to shift us to the vertical: how does this new identity shape how we interact with others? The first thing that we hear from Peter is that we should have a certain longing, and we should be tasting something specific. We should long to grow like born again infants who crave milk. We should long to know the Word of God and to deepen our relationship with Him. We should taste just how good our God has been to us! And, as we long and taste, we will reject and put away the old and replace with something better: the Gospel of Grace. Visit us online at: RenewalChurch.net

What is the basis of our love for one another? Peter seems to think that, at its foundation, there is a purification that has occurred through our obedience to God’s truth. Our love for one another will not fail, will not perish, and will not falter, because this Word that we have within us does not originate with man, but is from God. Visit us online at: RenewalChurch.net

What does it mean to be judged by our works? We are told that salvation comes by faith, so what role and connection do works have with faith? In our lives, there should be evidence of a certain kind of conduct; a conduct that is driven by specific motivations. Specifically, a conduct that is driven by the grace of Jesus, by whom we are ransomed. Visit us online at: RenewalChurch.net

As we reach the conclusion to Peter’s introduction, we now enter into the “so what” portion. He tells us to do two things — 1) Prepare our minds for action, and 2) Set our minds clearly on the grace that is coming. We should be filling our minds with the things of God, which both prepares and transforms the way that we think about our current and future circumstances. Visit us online at: RenewalChurch.net

Have you ever searched diligently for something? You look in every corner, every crevice, under every pillow? This is what the prophets did with the Scriptures in regard to the coming Christ. Peter admits that the things he is saying are not novel ideas, and that he did not make them up. It is all there in the Old Testament. Sure, at times, they might not have fully understood, but there is a thread that leads through every book in the Old Testament to the death and resurrection of Christ. Visit us online at: RenewalChurch.net

Peter was an apostle of Jesus and an eyewitness of Jesus' ministry on earth. He is writing to dispersed believers. Those believers were enduring some very difficult times. It was hard to follow Jesus. This is a letter of encouragement to continue to love Jesus in spite of their sufferings. There's joy in salvation, so live it out! This doesn't just apply to the believers living 2000 years ago. This applies to us today. By God's grace, all believers should have joy in spite of their circumstances. Visit us online at: RenewalChurch.net

Peter starts off this section by reminding the believers, scattered across the Dispersion, that there is reason to rejoice! Before he begins to talk about suffering and trials, he reminds them that, because of their new life in Jesus, they can rejoice! Specifically, they can rejoice in the midst of their trials and sufferings. Throughout our lives we will experience the mingling of joy and grief. We get a glimpse of the final joy that is coming in the midst of the various trials of our lives. Visit us online at: RenewalChurch.net

What does it mean to be "born again"? How does being born again change our future? Those are the questions we will answer in these verses. First, we need to identify what exactly Peter means by the phrase: “born again.” Then once that is established, we can see the rest of the text unfold. We see that we now have a living hope, meaning, when we look to the future our hope is surely alive. It is not dead. It is not absent. It is not missing. It is alive! How do we know this? Because Jesus is alive! He rose from the grave and, for the born again person, there is an inheritance that is kept in heaven. Visit us online at: RenewalChurch.net

The Apostle Peter opens his letter to believers scattered across the Roman Provinces by calling them “elect exiles.” The question that we will answer is: what does Peter mean by that phrase? Peter attaches the phrase to four prepositions in verse 2: Elect exiles "...according to the foreknowledge of God the Father." Elect exiles "...in the sanctification of the Spirit." Elect exiles "...for obedience to Jesus Christ" and, elect exiles "...for sprinkling with His blood." Peter is reminding these believers that God has caused them to be elect exiles. He will sustain them during their time as exiles, and the goal of their exile is to worship Jesus through their obedience. Visit us online at: RenewalChurch.net

Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

What are we really celebrating at Christmas? Yes, God became man. Yes, He has the power to heal and restore. Yes, He taught us the law and the way of life. But, more than any of those things God dwelt among us to die. We celebrate Christmas because the One who was born suffered and died as a payment for our sin. Our hope, joy, love, and peace can only be found under the grace of the Suffering Servant. Visit us online at: RenewalChurch.net

The Lord tells Isaiah that there is soon coming a day when God’s people will be in distress, under the gloom of anguish, and thrust into darkness. Many of us know that feeling, especially during the Christmas season. But, here is the good news of the Gospel — God will not leave us in that place. He came to save us. He tells Isaiah that, in Galilee, a Child will be born, a Son will be given who will be the Prince of Peace. Visit us online at: RenewalChurch.net

The Christmas season in modern times is meant to pull every person towards happiness in the midst of the darkness of winter. It speaks to the part of us that looks for light in the darkness. The presents, lights, the stories — they all revolve around this narrative that light is coming in the darkness. What many do not realize is that the pull towards the light and away from the darkness is the echo of eternity. It is that part of our souls that reminds us that we do not belong to the darkness, but that we belong to the light. We see this in Isaiah 2, as God pronounces judgment and destruction He takes a moment to remind them of the light that is coming. Visit us online at: RenewalChurch.net

We are called to be a part of God’s mission to bring the Gospel to all nations. Being a “World Christian” simply means that our identity is wrapped up in the call of Jesus to be a people who go, send, mobilize, and pray that the world would know Jesus. Some will move across the sea. But, many of us will be used by God in this mission right where we are. Visit us online at: RenewalChurch.net

Many believers know that they need to be proclaiming the Gospel, but most are not. There are many reasons: fear, busyness, lack of courage, etc. Jesus’ command to go and make disciples of all nations could not be more clear. Yet, following that command can be more difficult than we think. In this message, we will talk about the call to be proclaimer of Jesus’ Gospel and talk through “how” to share this Gospel. Visit us online at: RenewalChurch.net

By looking at the parable of the Good Samaritan we will learn what it means to “love our neighbor.” Jesus said the two greatest commandments are to “love God and love our neighbor.” But, what does it really mean to love our neighbor? Who is our neighbor, and how do we show them the wonderful grace of Jesus? Visit us online at: RenewalChurch.net

God has extended to His people an unbelievable invitation. This invitation is not only that our joy will be full, our hope true, and that His love is known. God’s great invitation to us is that we will be used for His purposes and mission; to gather every nation at His throne. If God is going to gather all people to Himself, how has He chosen to do it? He has chosen to do it through His Church as ambassadors to His Gospel. What a wonderful opportunity for every son and daughter of the King! Visit us online at: RenewalChurch.net

God has and always will be about one primary thing: His glory among all people’s and nations. He is the Author of Life, the Creator of the Universe, and He is the way of salvation. Everything that God has done, is doing, and will do, brings Himself the maximum amount of glory. At the end of the story is a promise — God is going to gather all nations to worship Him in all of His glory. Visit us online at: RenewalChurch.net