Renew Covenant Church Sermons

Two major themes we have explored in the Sermon on the Moun so far: 1. the essential character of Jesus' disciples as described by the Beatitudes and 2. their purpose to be the salt and light of the world. Jesus pivots to a discussion of the Law and the Prophets to address concerns about traditional teachings by the Pharisees and other religious leaders, who have turned the Scriptures into strict codes for personal gain. Jesus clarifies that He did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it, bringing true illumination through His presence. Christ himself animates the Scriptures, our faith, and the Church's worship and ministry, and cannot be separated from the Law and Prophets.

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

We look at the 1st 4 Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-6. The Poor in Spirit; those who mourn; those who are meek; those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. There is a quality of lack or an awareness of lack in this group of people.

The gift of Jesus fills the empty spaces of our soul with joy, good news, and praise. This abundant grace overflows and spills out to other in contagious praise.

Paul writes while in prison in Rome. He calls the Philippians to rejoice in all circumstances. What does it look like to rejoice even in pain and suffering? What is the relationship between Joy and suffering? As we journey in this Advent season, we recognize that all is not shiny lights and happiness in this season. We recognize that for many, Christmas time is a sad time. We also recognize that our world is hurting and groaning. What does it look like for the community of faith to be of one mind and spirit and to Rejoice at all times?

Jeremiah 33:14-16 14 “‘The days are coming,' declares the Lord, ‘when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah. 15 “‘In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David's line; he will do what is just and right in the land. 16 In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it[a] will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior.'

From the start, John's Gospel declares Jesus as King through Nathanael's words: "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" (John 1:49). Throughout the Gospel, Jesus is shown as an unconventional king—one who speaks to the lowly, serves rather than being served, and remains humble. His unique kingdom is not of this world, prompting reflection on its significance for us today. Pilate's question, "Are you the King of the Jews?" is answered through Jesus' demonstration of kingship, authority, and reign on the Cross. We approach Advent and the close of the liturgical year reflecting on the implications of this.

19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that[a] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.

As citizens of an upside down Kingdom our witness lies in our peace-keeping, love, and good deeds that run counter to values of empire. To give a defense for the “hope you have” is less about apologetics and more about how we live our lives.

Sending out of the 72 into the towns was not explicitly only to the “house of Israel” here in Luke. Jessica Hsieh and Pastor Dave Sim will offer both their takes on the passage as it relates to Renew being sent into our everyday lives/work to “do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.”

We live out our Kingdom citizenship, however, “in the world” We're not supposed to huddle safely within the confines of the church. Let us de-center the “church” as the only place we do the “sacred.” How do we live our faith outside the walls of the church, in our places of work?

Christ is our Shalom! We in the church are called to be ambassadors of reconciliation and carriers of Shalom. With our citizenship in the KoG we are centered on the policies of Jesus, and work from there to pursue reconciliation, renewal, and love in the world.

Beatitudes 5-7. We will look at being merciful, pure in heart, and peacemakers--These can be seen as “fruitful” outpouring of the first 4 beatitudes.

We begin a series on the Sermon on the Mount with the question: is Jesus' ethical teaching still relevant and pragmatic for us today?

Embodying Kingdom Values in our everyday lives. Shalom, a Hebrew word for “peace,” means wholeness and well-being in all areas of life–individual, communal, and societal. Human flourishing involves fulfilling God's purposes, nurturing relationships with God and others, living an integrated life, and fulfilling our vocations. We are called to pursue justice, reconciliation, and holistic well-being for all creation. Non-Profit/Education Panel (Steven Li, Anna, Jenn Chong Jewell )

Matthew 25:14-30 English Standard Version 14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.' 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.' 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.' 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

Though the Spirit had been moving hte early church towards being a more Gentile-inclusive community, Paul confronts Peter for being a hypocrite and ghosting the Gentiles after a delegation from Jerusalem show up on the scene. Christ-centered unity is more than just getting along, and it's a difficult sustained journey of conviction. There will be push back. There will be loss of reputation and status. Faithful reconciliation involves conflict and truth-telling, with a spoonful of the Holy Spirit.

Unity isn't about being the same or conforming to one culture. People can have different political views, dress differently, and eat different foods, yet still be unified. A strong mission, vision, and purpose can bring people together. True unity centers on the Gospel/Christ, True unity has love at its core. True unity recognizes and honors differences.

In the center of Mark, Jesus touches a blind man who initially cannot see clearly but then can. The disciples earlier do not ‘see' the meaning behind the loaves and the fish. Following the healing of the blind man, they see clearly that Jesus is the Messiah. What in our lives keeps us from seeing.

Jesus raises a widows son from the dead. From a terminal situation, Jesus' heart goes out to a devastated mother and demonstrates that He is the Lord of the Resurrection.

In chapters 8 and 9 JEsus goe on a whirlwind tour of healing. In Matthew 9:37-38 Jesus sees the many people seeking healing and has compassion on them “for they were like a sheep without a shepherd.” Then he looks to his disciples and points their attention to the harvest before them saying: “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” We are invited to participate in Christ's healing work in the world. When the need seems overwhelming and immense–Jesus tells us to prayer for more people to help out.

We are given a few episodes of Jesus very willing to cross the boundaries and propriety to heal people very intimately and with authority. As the prophet Isaiah wrote: Jesus takes ups our infirmities and heals our disease.”. He's willing able and chases us down and holds us in our uncleanness.

Jesus heals a man who had been ill for 38 years at the Pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem. Unable to reach the healing waters, the man explains his situation to Jesus. Jesus tells him, “Get up, pick up your mat and walk.” The man obeys and is immediately healed. What is the interplay between faith, grace, and effort in this healing? What does it look like for us to pick up our mats and walk when we haven't been able to before? What does it mean to "want to be healed?"

Pastor Alison preaches from Mark 3:1-6.

To preach Jesus is to preach healing. Only Luke records the healing of Malchus' (ref. John) ear. In a situation where violence could rule the day and evil would “have its hour” Jesus would perform a miraculous healing and restoration on a rather seemingly insignificant body part. But this ‘little' healing truly highlights the contrast of Kingdoms. Jesus in his incarceration chooses non-violence and even loving touch, when vengeance could easily have won the day. This is who we proclaim and worship!

“People of color have endured traumatic histories and almost daily assaults on their dignity.” The answer is not in “just getting over it,” or to simply “pray more,” and definitely not in denial or venting in anger/violence. We collectively need to recognize and acknowledge racial trauma and pursue active healing corporately. In fact, all of us, people of color and white people carry the history of racial trauma in our bodies, and it is literally passed on through our DNA through generations, cit. Resmaa Menakem “My Grandmother's Hands”

Guillermo Jiménez talks about the Lord as our Banner.

We are paralyzed by body comparisons, self-loathing, discomfort in our own skin, etc. Some of us have wrestled with eating disorders or attempts to make artificial changes to our appearance. Especially in this age of social media we are comparing ourselves to altered-cyber selves. Filters, photoshop, and extreme models all skew our perception of beauty. But we are fearfully and wonderfully made. We are beautiful. The church is called to be prophetically counter-culture for the healing and renewal of humanity.

Pastor Alison continues our conversation around healing.

We pause here to collect ourselves, recenter, and consider what it means to live lives in pursuit of health and transformation. Self-love: embrace yourself and who god has made you to be. Continue to pursue healing from pain/brokenness from the past; knowing your limitations and boundaries; spiritual rhythms: sabbath and rest; develop skills for loving others well.

The Church is the body of Christ, but we have hurt one another.

There is deep hurt, wounding, and trauma that each of us have experienced in our lifetime. Physical and or Sexual abuse, the death of a loved one, the death of a significant relationship. Physical trauma and harm. Crisis and disaster. What does it mean to healthily go “through” trauma and forward into renewal and redemption. Deliverance “through” vs. “From”

We continue in our Healing series and address our families of origin and how family patterns can continue generationally and create hindrances to love in our lives today. God in his infinite Grace and Mercy can heal us and redeem these "family curses" for his glory and purposes.

We begin a series on inner healing and transformation. The God of peace is constantly at work to make us more whole in spirit, soul, and body–he will faithfully bring our healing and wholeness to completion. What is our part? Are we willing to roll up our sleeves and open ourselves up to this process?

Before his ascension, Jesus tells his disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit, then they will receive power from the HS and will be His witnesses to the world. The Holy Spirit is essential to the empowerment of the disciples for the mission. At the same time Jesus words teach them the importance of waiting for God's promises.

This passage highlights the inclusion of Gentiles into the Christian faith and the recognition that the Holy Spirit's work transcends cultural boundaries. It emphasizes unity and acceptance within the early Christian community.

Philip and the man from Ethiopia. In the post resurrection life, we are led and discipled by the Spirit who takes us off the beaten path

God doesn't "protect" us in the sense of shielding us from pain, nor grief, nor doubt. But when our journey includes those things, God our protector is right beside us and won't let us get lost.

Resurrection Sunday, Epilogue Part 2 Wondering is the first step toward understanding, but we are invited to not sit in our confusion forever. We are invited to see Jesus' presence in our lives, relying on Him to inform our understanding of the Scriptures and inspire us to share the Good News.

Resurrection Sunday, Epilogue Part 1 When Jesus' loved ones found the tomb empty, they were “perplexed” with what must be going on. Often in life we expect to be able to have access to all the answers, immediately, when in reality we are invited into a holy place of humility and wonder

We often become paralyzed by our worries, fears, and doubts. The are obstacles on the journey that seem insurmountable, that cause us to fret. The women going to Jesus' tomb worry about the large stone that will have to be rolled away. In our tunnel vision we don't see the amazing good news God has been

Palm Sunday marks Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, fulfilling Zechariah 9:9's prophecy. His “royal” entry is contra the Roman empire and the scene is set for a confrontation. The crowd's enthusiastic response reflects hope in Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. However, Holy Week events lead to Jesus' arrest, trial, and crucifixion. We examine the complexity of victory and suffering, and our choices in the midst of this. This passage invites us to reflect on our own responses to Jesus—faithful commitment or doubt

Pastor Eunice Do visits Renew with her word on "God with Us" during our "Names of God" series.

This is the episode before the Last Supper. We have another meal here that is disrupted by a woman who lavishly annoints Jesus with oil. Everyone is appalled, but Jesus praises the woman's faith. Might we be disrupted by the scandalous and unconventional.

God is generous and compassionate towards His people, even when they are unfaithful and rebellious. God does not give up on them, but sends them many messengers and opportunities to repent and return to Him. God's grace is not limited by human boundaries or expectations, but extends to all who are willing to accept it. On the flip side, the parable also challenges us to examine our own role and response to God's grace. We are called to be stewards of God's creation, to care for the vineyard and to share its fruits with others. We are also accountable for our actions and choices, and we will face the consequences of rejecting or abusing God's gifts. We cannot claim to be God's people if we do not live according to God's will. There is a contextually specific challenge to the religious leaders as they are the tenants and Jesus is the Son/cornerstone.

Jesus has a discourse with a rich young ruler. The takeaway in the context of Mark 10 is that the path to eternal life comes via having a child-like wonder and dependance on Christ. What are the “riches” we hold onto that serve as buffers against a deeper journey with Jesus?

Guest speaker Paul Cabellon shares insight on the story of Hagar and God, El Roi.

Where Jesus' identity is declared with words in the previous chapter, now Jesus is revealed visually in illuminated Glory through the transfiguration. We are given a visual expression of God's delight in His Son, and the disciples too are to delight and stand in awe of Jesus. Sometimes, we don't explain with words or try to understand completely the Glory of Jesus Christ. The disciples stand on holy ground and are given the gift of a very intimate encounter with God.

The center of Mark is Jesus' question “Who do you say I am” and Peter's response “you are the Messiah” What is JEsus' identity. But also, what does this mean? The disciples are caught up to what Mark has already told the reader: Jesus is the Messiah. But then Jesus continues relaying that the Messiah must suffer, die, and rise–which further highlights the disciples' ignorance around the way of the Messiah. Jesus stands with the outcast and the marginalized and will die as one.

“Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.” It's not external objects or people that are evil, but that which comes from inside us. Humans can objectify other humans–we judge others based on the outside and the labels we give them. Jesus calls us to be relational and move past superficial excuses.