Renewal Church Podcast

Sometimes God requires of us faith that is truly radical. It goes against every grain of our world, and the only logic that can be claimed is an unwavering commitment to a faithful God. Noah follows God’s call despite the circumstances, despite the mockery from others, and God looks at his faith and calls him “righteous.” We must walk with the same sort of faith in today’s world. A real encounter with God results in radical faith despite the circumstances and the mockery. Visit us online at: http://www.RenewalChurch.net

Enoch is one of the most mysterious characters mentioned in Scripture. There are only five verses about him in all of our Bible, but those five verses are infinitely significant. In those five verses we learn that God commended Enoch “as having pleased God, we learn that Enoch “walked with God”, and that Enoch was “taken up” by God. Meaning that Enoch did not die. The big questions we will answer is, what does it mean to walk with God like Enoch did? Visit us online at: http://www.RenewalChurch.net

We are all offering something in life. We give pieces of ourselves to our family, friendships, career, and for access to comforts in this world. When we do that we are putting faith in those things that I will receive something in return that is desirable. The question is, what are you offering and who are you offering it to? And, is that offering reflective of the worth of the one receiving the offering? What does your offering to God communicate about your faith in him? What does it communicate about His worthiness in your life? With Abel we see that he brought an offering to God that would result in God commending him as “righteous.” The good news for us is that there is an offering presented to God on our behalf. This offering has brought us righteousness and salvation, and it is only when we have faith in that offering that we can truly enjoy and know God. It is the offering that was presented in the death and resurrection of Jesus. Visit us online at: http://www.RenewalChurch.net

Before we jump into the specific people mentioned in Hebrews 11 we first must answer some foundational questions. (1) How does the Bible define faith? (2) Does having real faith mean that a person is void of sin and suffering, and (3) Why does God specifically mention this group of people in Hebrews 11? In Hebrews 11 we see three things that are required in order for someone to have faith; Understanding, conviction, and commitment. In each person mentioned in Hebrews 11 is evidence of those three things. An understanding of who God is, a conviction to live for the glory of God, and the commitment to obey God Visit us online at: http://www.RenewalChurch.net

How should we use the Bible in our daily lives? By looking at what Scripture says about its own purpose and usefulness we will be able to understand how we are to grow in our faith. The Bible helps us understand who God is, who we were created to be, and what to be watchful of that would lead us astray. Visit us online at: http://www.RenewalChurch.net

Does the Bible actually hold authority over my life? How can a book with a bunch of words that was written thousands of years ago have sole authority on how I live my life? By looking at the reality of how God speaks and reveals himself, we will find joy and confidence in a God who has shown us exactly who He is. The Bible is clear in its intention, necessary for our faith, and sufficient in its authority. Visit us online at: http://www.RenewalChurch.net

How do we know that we actually have the words of God in our Bible today? Some have said that the Bible is similar to playing the telephone game. It starts with one message, but by the time you get to the end of the line the message that is presented has been corrupted and in accurate. So, how can we know that what we have today is what God intended to tell us? By looking at the importance of original manuscripts, textual variance, and Scripture itself we will see that the Bible that we have today is trustworthy. It is trustworthy because God has ensured that what we read about Him today is exactly what He wants us to read. Visit us online at: http://www.RenewalChurch.net

In chapter 4 we see a terrifying truth — sometimes the sins of our past have a tendency to creep back up. Even after the amazing revival in chapter 3, we see the prophet struggling with the same sin that he had in the 1st chapter. However, despite his attempts to run, God is still pursuing him. What an encouraging truth for us to rest in, that no matter what the God of the universe will still pursue us, despite our sin. Visit us online at: http://www.RenewalChurch.net

Jonah 3 starts off in the same way that Jonah chapter 1 did, the Word of the Lord comes to Jonah and calls him to go. That one verse teaches us something about our God. He is a God of second chances. It doesn’t matter what our past looks like, God loves to use broken people for His purposes and glory. God calls Jonah a second time and this time Jonah answers. And God uses Jonah to bring about the greatest missionary revival in the history of the world as the entire city of Nineveh repents of their sin and worships God! Visit us online at: http://www.RenewalChurch.net

In chapter 2 we meet Jonah in the belly of a whale, and it’s in that place that He rediscovers the love of God. God saved Him from certain death, and as Jonah reflects on the moment God saved him, he worships. It’s complete and underserving grace. Jonah isn’t able to truly worship until he truly understood the implications of the grace of God, and it’s no different for us. We must fully understand the magnitude of the beauty of the grace of God before we can truly worship. Visit us online at: http://www.RenewalChurch.net

We all run from God. There is something inside of each of us that makes us naturally gravitate towards sin. It’s the story of the Bible from page to page, but it’s only half the story. We may run from God, but He will always chase us. That is what we see in Jonah 1 — the man of God attempts to run from God, but God, in His grace will always pursue! However, sometimes His means of pursuit is not always easy. God will use many things in this life to get our attention. In this case, God uses a massive storm, and the storm will not cease until the man of God surrenders completely to God. It’s the same for us. The storm will rage until we fully surrender to the Lord of our souls. Visit us online at: http://www.RenewalChurch.net

Visit us online at: http://www.RenewalChurch.net

Do you know how to be content in the midst of any circumstance? There is a beautiful peace when you can have confidence in Christ in the worse moments of your life and the best moments of your life. That it doesn’t matter if you are brought “low” or “high", your mind is still set on Christ.

Visit us online at: http://www.RenewalChurch.net

How do we have true peace in this world? Peace can seem like a metaphor rather than a possible reality. However, Paul tells us how we can actually have true peace. He tells us what to do with the anxieties that paralyze us. And he tells us how to do live a life that has sustained peace by disciplining our minds to focus on the things of Christ.

How do we have true peace in this world? Peace can seem like a metaphor rather than a possible reality. However, Paul tells us how we can actually have true peace. He tells us what to do with the anxieties that paralyze us. And he tells us how to do live a life that has sustained peace by disciplining our minds to focus on the things of Christ.

What do we do when we disagree with others in the church? How do we work through our differences with truth and grace? Here we see an example of two believers who disagree and are in need of reconciliation. We will look to the words of Jesus in Matthew 18 to help us understand how we are to have lasting reconciliation.

We see three distinct themes in this text — (1) discipleship, (2), the path of the unrighteous, and (3) citizenship. All of these things work together. As we move towards the goal of Christ we are to imitate those who are more mature in the faith, mindful of those around us who lead us astray, and with a mindset that we do not belong to this world. We belong to another world altogether. We are sojourners in this place and true citizenship is with Christ.

What is the ultimate goal in life? All of us live are lives heading towards a destination — a goal. And, if we are all headed towards a goal, what do we want that goal to be? Paul tells us that are only goal should be that of Jesus Christ and his calling.

Where does lasting satisfaction come from? Many in the world believe that it comes from money, status, success and security, but in reality, those things will never truly satisfy. Indeed, compared to Christ those things are “rubbish” according to Paul. What does it mean to truly live a life that is fully satisfied in Christ? What does a person who is satisfied by Christ look like? How do they think? How do they move within a world that is trying to convince them that they don’t need Christ?

If we are going to see God’s renewal come to Bell County and the world we must have lasting ministry partnerships with those in our city and around the world. Visit us online at: http://www.RenewalChurch.net

Every day we toil and we work, but the question is are working for the glory of God? Our work will fade and it will come to an end, but the only work that will last is the work of God. Paul tells us that we should work out our salvation with fear and trembling. It is not that Paul wants us to work for salvation, but rather see that we should live a life of faith in light of the gift of grace in salvation. Therefore, we look to God’s work in our salvation and we live a life without grumbling as lights in the world that shine towards the work of Christ.. Visit us online at: http://www.RenewalChurch.net

What does it mean to have a mind like Christ? Paul tells us that Christ led in humility, he emptied himself, and took the form of a servant. What humility that Jesus has come from perfect heaven to broken earth to be one of us! In the incarnation of Jesus we a glorious display of love and kindness, and we should live our lives in the same way. We should not live in selfish ambition, but we should walk humbly in this life. Visit us online at: http://www.RenewalChurch.net

What are your ambitions in life? Some of us aim to be respected. Some aim to be wealthy. Some aim to be healthy, but for Paul, no one could not question his ambitions. He aimed to see Christ glorified in His life. Our aim should be no different, everything we do in our lives should not done out of selfish ambition, but our aim should be that Christ is glorified.Visit us online at: http://www.RenewalChurch.net

As Paul writes from prison we see a man who is not in despair, depression or anxiety, but rather a man who’s hope is set on God. We learn a valuable lesson from Paul in this moment — we cannot allow our circumstances to shape how we think of God, but rather we should shape how we think of our circumstances based on what we know about God. Paul reminds his friends that his imprisonment actually helps the advancement of the gospel. In this life, we will have many hardships, but God does not waste our hardships. They are lasting hardships, because God will use any and everything in our lives. Even the difficult things. For Paul, all that matters is the gospel. Visit us online at: http://www.RenewalChurch.net