Renewal Church Podcast

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

Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

In our final lesson in Exodus, we will look back to ensure that we understand the Biblical narrative, as well as the most important lessons from God in this book. Then we will look ahead to see how the book of Exodus fits into the entire Biblical narrative. Hopefully, we will have a deeper understanding of God. Who He is, and what He is doing. Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

God’s people begin construction on the Ark of the Covenant. In this text, we see what makes God uniquely distinct from the rest of the world. We are a people that are set apart to reflect the glory and character of God. In every Christian should be a humility to live for the glory of God, and not the glory of themselves. Specifically, we are a people set apart by His Word. His Word guides us, instructs us, and leads us to know Him, and to know ourselves. Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

As God gives instructions for His Tabernacle, He calls the people to be generous with what He has given them. If we are going to be a generous people, we must first look to, and be motivated by the generosity of God. Only then can we bring all that we have to the table before the Lord and say, with full commitment, “God this is all Yours.” Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

What does it mean to “behold God’s glory”? It is a thing we cannot comprehend or understand. But, in this moment, that is exactly what God shows to Moses: His incredible glory! The good news for us is that, as John says, “we have beheld His glory” in the face of His son, Jesus. The question is, how will we respond? Will we be like the people of Israel and have “stiff-necks,” or, will we respond in worship? Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

As God’s people wait for Moses to come down from Mount Sinai, their sinful hearts overtake them and they make a golden calf to worship. God's response is both terrifying, and a warning to us all, as we live in a world filled with idols. Moses goes to the Lord in humility and asks Him to relent of His judgment on the people. In this text, we see a foreshadowing of what is to come. We are guilty of worshipping idols. Through a Mediator, God will relent of His wrath and show us mercy. Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

What was the purpose of the Tabernacle in the Scriptures? Why does God spend so many chapters laying out the construction of the tabernacle and what does that have to do with us in 2024? The reality is, many of us have lost what God is teaching His people in Exodus. That God is holy and we are sinful, and in order for us to experience his presence we need to understand the chasm between us and God. The Tabernacle was God’s vessel in order to break down the barriers between our sin and His holiness. Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

As God continues to mold His people, He continues to give them His law. These rules and statutes are going to mark them as the people of God. On the outside, these laws can look confusing and harsh. But, when we look deeper, we will see God’s redeeming love. Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

In this text, God delivers the Ten Commandments to the Israelites at Mount Sinai. The commandments were meant to set the people apart, to teach the people about the character of God, and reveal to us that we are far from God. After God gives His law, the people witness thunder, lightning, and the sound of a trumpet, causing them to tremble in fear. Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

In Exodus 19, the Israelites arrive at Mount Sinai three months after leaving Egypt. God calls Moses to the mountain and instructs him to tell the people that, if they obey His covenant, they will be His treasured possession and a holy nation. God makes an unbelievable invitation — "I will make you a kingdom of priests." The question is, will the people obey Him in faith? Or, reject Him in fear? Visit us online at: www.RenewalChurch.net

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