Renewal Church

How often have circumstances in life led you to compromise, thinking “what choice do I have?” Can we confidently see God as our King even when life gets difficult? These questions are in focus today as we kick off a new sermon series through the book of Ruth: As we dive into the first chapter and explore the background of the story, we see how a similar sentiment — compromising and asking “what choice do I have?” in difficult times — likely preceded and led to the state of affairs at the start of the book. But as pastor Ulysses encourages us today, we can learn from Ruth who went against the tide, that regardless of what we go through, we can always make a choice to follow God.

What do you do when you're in pain or in the midst of life's challenges? Are you quick to fall into despair or do you, like the psalmist in today's passage, hold on to a deep hope in the midst of it all? In this week's talk, we reflect on this question as Pastor Jonathan walks us through Psalm 42, a passage that conveys the emotional and spiritual journey of a psalmist who held on to hope in God through great turmoil. As we explore this passage, we can be encouraged to learn what it means to have deep hope and how we can turn to God to experience that hope in our own lives.

Now that we have finished our mission's month sermon series, Pastor Jonathan guides us through a lesson on fear this Sunday. How should we deal with and cope with fear? How should we view fear biblically? What does it mean to fear the Lord, and why should we fear Him?

This Sunday is the last service of our missions month, for which guest speaker Pastor Di Leonardo shares about his experience as a missionary in Italy—including some of the challenges of reaching the people in that region of the world. He also illustrates through a variety of passages from the Bible what missions are truly about holistically, and how they can enable us to live our lives in the presence of God to the glory of God.

This week our guest speaker, Pastor Phil, invites us to reimagine the Christian life not as something we do for God, but with God. Drawing from John 15 and Matthew 11, he unpacks Jesus' invitation to walk in intimate friendship and shared burden. Through his personal stories and illustrations, we're challenged to see mission as a daily journey of presence, rest, and partnership with Christ.

This week, we continue our missions series as guest speaker Pastor Keith challenges us to break out of a “Christian ghetto” mindset and embrace the global mission God has given us. Drawing from Acts 1:6–8 and Revelation 7:9, he reminds us that the abundant life Jesus promises is not about material gain, but about living with purpose—making disciples, spreading the gospel, and seeking first God's kingdom.

This week at Renewal Church, we begin an exciting new series of talks on missions, starting with a message from Pastor Mark Chun on church planting. In this sermon, Pastor Mark reminds us of the importance of the local church and church planting and shares some of the hallmarks of a church built the proper way, on the foundation of Christ.

In this week's sermon, Pastor Ulysses concludes his sermon series through the book of Zechariah. This final chapter, which features apocalyptic literature that may be difficult to understand, shares an important message about what lies ahead. As we dive into the passage, we are reminded to not shy away from difficulties that may await us as believers; instead, we can be encouraged knowing what's to come and challenged to live in response to it.

This week we celebrate Easter and the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Pastor Ulysses takes us through a passage in Acts where Paul shares about the one true God to the people in Athens, who were at the time completely consumed by daily news—much like we are today in the Bay Area. He explains how each of us can experience the resurrection life today if we look upon the cross and acknowledge the sacrifice he has made that we might live!

This week Pastor Ulysses teaches through the 12th chapter of Zechariah, in which both victory for Jerusalem and a time of deep mourning are described. He details how Christians today often swing too far one direction, either towards victory where we know we are forgiven so we ignore our sin, or towards morning where we feel total despair or worthless and unloved. We should truly morn and weep over our sin, but at the same time have the spirit of encouragement within us to know that there is victory over sin through Jesus Christ.

This Sunday we read through Zechariah 11:1–17, where God's judgment unfolds through powerful imagery and prophetic sign acts. Pastor Jonathan walks us through Zechariah's portrayal of both a faithful shepherd and a worthless one, revealing Israel's rejection of God and the consequences that followed. This sobering chapter ultimately points us to Jesus, the Good Shepherd, reminding us that true peace and protection are found only in Him.

This week, as we continue through Zechariah 10, we're challenged to ask: What are we trying to handle through our own strength and control? Pastor Ulysses reminds us that God is our ultimate provider. Yet, like the Israelites, we often foolishly turn to “false idols” and worldly solutions instead of seeking Him first. Through this Sunday's sermon, we learn about trusting in His provision and rejecting the temptation to rely on anything else.

Pastor Ulysess teaches us that only through God will we find everlasting peace with this passage in Zechariah. It is too easy and tempting, when we are young, to put our peace in worldly things. But the trials and slings of fortune will come in time. If we are to truly stay steadfast and unshaken by this life, we must put our faith in the one place where no one can take it away. That in the arms of Jesus Christ and His promise of everlasting peace.

This Sunday we continue our series in Zechariah with a message of blessing. This world is a broken place due to our sin. But in spite of all of that, God wishes to bless us. There is freedom from the tyranny of the present if we look at the blessing God has given us and the final blessing He has in store for us. If we accept this in our hearts, it will renew and repair us until the day we join Him.

Pastor Jonathan continues our series through the book of Zechariah with the 7th chapter. From this passage we learn about the dangers of religiosity, self-righteousness, and having a hardened heart. We also discover how his grace has freed us from a need to do spiritual acts to earn his favor, and accordingly what it looks like to instead live for God out of a humble spirituality.

This week, Pastor Ulysses continues teaching from the book of Zechariah, this time from chapter 6. The passage details Zechariah's 8th and final vision, as well as a prophetic sign that Zechariah is to perform upon Joshua. We dig very deep into the text to gain a strong understanding of who Jesus the Messiah is - Is he a king? Is he a priest? Can he be both? And we also learn about the price one must pay to follow him.

This week, we delve into Zechariah's sixth and seventh visions, which call us to reflect on our lives. Are we living with integrity and obedience to God's commands? These visions not only reveal God's justice in addressing sin but also His grace in removing wickedness and restoring His people. Even in our shortcomings, He invites us to walk in holiness, reminding us that His ultimate plan is not just judgment but transformation and renewal.

We continue our series in the Book of Zechariah with the fifth vision he sees, that of a lampstand and two olive trees. Pastor Ulysses teaches us with this parable that greats works are done with small steps of obedience to God. And that to build a joyful, radiant relationship with God also takes small, thoughtful and deliberate actions. There is no fast track to spiritual growth despite what we may hear otherwise in the Silicon Valley.

This Sunday we are blessed with a guest message from Pastor Mark. He teaches us how we are to grieve as Christians and how we can bring comfort to one another. Through the suffering of Job, we learn how to lament, mourn together and maintain our faith through difficult times.

On this Sunday's message, we discuss the fourth vision of Zechariah: "The High Priest". Through his vision we see how unclean God's people are and that we have no right to receive His blessing. But because of God's grace and the coming sacrifice, we are restored. Satan stands ready to condemn us and we are helpless, but God chooses to defend us.

As we continue our series through Zechariah, Pastor Jonathan leads us through the second chapter of the book. Here Zechariah describes his third vision, which is one of a man with a measuring line and a wall of fire around Jerusalem. Through the chapter, Pastor Jonathan helps clarify for us what it means to be secure in the Lord, and how this vision demonstrates the depth of God's love for us.

This week Pastor Ulysses continues our series through the book of Zechariah. In this section, we read about the first two of the eight visions that Zechariah has—one of horsemen and one of horns and craftsmen. We learn that God sees everything that happens in this world, and also that He is a God of perfect justice. The message is one of hope, however, because the sins of those who put their faith in Christ has already been paid for by Jesus on the cross.

This Sunday, Pastor Ulysses begins a new book from the Old Testament, Zechariah. From these verses, we learn that God wants us to return to Him and repent from our evil ways. It is a message of love, of grace and mercy. Similar to how the prodigal son returns to his father with open arms, through Jesus' sacrifice, we too can return to His fold.

As we prepare for our congregational fast, Pastor Ulysses guides us through Ezra 8, where Ezra takes a bold leap of faith by choosing to forgo military protection on their journey to Jerusalem. Similarly, we are sometimes called to embrace "impractical" acts, like fasting, as an expression of trust in God. In this sermon, we explore how such actions demonstrate humility and deepen our commitment to living out our Christian faith.

For our last Sunday gathering of the year, Pastor Ulysses takes us through 2 Kings 22 where we read about King Josiah and his rediscovery of the Book of the Law. In this story, we observe a nation so far away from God's will and heading towards it's demise. While you might be amazed to observe the state of the nation, we should recognize that it's just as easy today as it was then to drift away from God's word. In today's sermon, we use this story as a reminder of the importance of God's Word and find encouragement to cherish and prioritize reading Scripture, even as the new year approaches.

This week, we celebrate Christmas and reflect on its profound implications. While we sometimes adopt a superficial view of Christmas, often enamored by the idealized portrayal we see around us, we should also remember that Christmas is more than just a perfect image. In this Christmas sermon, Pastor Ulysses takes us behind the scenes of the airbrushed Christmas image to reveal the messy reality surrounding our Savior's birth and lineage. Let us be encouraged to know that we celebrate a Savior who is willing to step into our messy and imperfect lives, as He demonstrates in the story of Christmas.

As Christmas approaches, Pastor Ulysses begins to take us through the birth of Christ as described in Luke. He helps to clarify the true meaning of the season of Christmas, and the impact on how we view our lives. We don't need to have fame or power or success in the eyes of the world, because we can rest on the fact that we are children of God, and he has a purpose for each of us.

This week, Pastor Jonathan takes us through the very last section of the book of John, thus concluding the series! In this final passage, Jesus has a conversation with Peter, through which we learn about Jesus Christ as the great Redeemer. Not just from death to life, but in every aspect of our lives as well—nothing is wasted when we bring it to Jesus for him to redeem.

In the final chapter of John, the disciples return to their ordinary lives, settling back into routine despite the miraculous events they witnessed just months earlier. Yet, in a powerful moment, Jesus appears to remind them of his unwavering presence and provision. How often do we as believers lose sight of God in the busyness of our daily routines? In this sermon, Pastor Ulysses challenges us to recognize that even in the mundane, God is actively present, calling us to align our lives with His mission.

During Pastor Pete's concluding sermon he emphasizes the importance of us slowing down our busy lives and intentionally focusing on our relationship with Jesus. God can do wonders, bring healing and joy amidst darkness. But if we do not spend time with Him, He cannot build us up.

At our third session at Renewal's Annual Retreat, Pastor Pete talks about how all of us have much mourning and suffering through the ordeals we have endured in this broken world. But there is great light and renewal ahead of us with Christ.

In our second session at retreat Pastor Pete talks about to how we need to identify things that may seem to fill us, but are actually harming us. At the same time, we need to do things that reaffirm our identify in Christ.

Welcome to Renewal's Annual Retreat. In this first session titled "Racing for Death" Pastor Pete talks about how it is critical we stop and meet with God routinely amidst all the limitless distractions and obligations we face in daily life. We need to remember what our true priorities are.

As we continue our sermon series through the Book of John, we read in today's passage about Thomas, a disciple who doubted the accounts of Jesus' appearance to His followers after His resurrection. It may be easy to skim past this story as the tale of 'doubting Thomas,' but as Pastor Ulysses explains in this sermon, there are great implications to this story and very important reasons why Thomas was wrong to doubt. So to the many of us who, like Thomas, hold various doubts in our hearts, we can be challenged to recognize the areas where we doubt, but also encouraged to bring those doubts to God.

This week we revisit the sermon series through the book of John. Today's verses recount the events shortly after Jesus' resurrection. At a glance, the passage may appear to be filled with a lot of inessential detail, but have you ever considered that every aspect of the documentation was intentional? In this talk, Pastor Ulysses, highlighting the intentionality of Scripture, explores some of the added details in the passage and the questions they raise. We find in the process an important message to believers to carry on, building on what Christ has accomplished.

This week we take a break from the book of John to discuss Christianity and politics. Should we attempt to leave our Christian morals at home when we go to vote? How should we evaluate candidates and proposals? Pastor Ulysses shares the biblical perspective on those questions and many more.

This Sunday, we continue our series through the book of John as Pastor Cho teaches on the resurrection of Jesus. As many Christians know, this is the most important event in history and it's the foundation of the Christian faith. Pastor Cho explains, however, that if we just stop at the level of simple belief, we miss the full meaning and power of the resurrection.

It is finished. This Sunday, we reflect on the final verses that signify the completion of Jesus' ministry and the fulfillment of prophecy in his last moments. We then explore the deeper implications—what does this fulfillment truly mean, and how does the reality of this sacrifice continue to impact our lives today?

As we continue through the crucifixion story in the book of John, we encounter verses that highlight how we should approach our familial relationships within a Christian context. How can we honor our parents, even when they hold views that may conflict with our beliefs? And as parents, how can we support our children spiritually amid the pressures of the world? In this sermon, Pastor Ulysses guides us through these questions, showing us how to navigate these topics by following Jesus' example.

This week, we revisit our sermon series through the book of John, as we read about Jesus' crucifixion. What comes to mind when you think of Jesus' death on the cross? It might be easy to overlook the horrific nature of this form of punishment when just looking at words on a page; but in this talk, Pastor Ulysses examines the true nature of Jesus' crucifixion and reminds us of the meaning and implication for us that He experienced it.

This week's talk wraps up our 3 sermon series on deacons. Today's sermon from Pastor Ulysses is based on the verses that follow last week's passage, and continues the focus on what deacons are like. Through this and the previous talks on the series, we can gain clarity on what to look for in potential deacons, but we can also be encouraged to not just sit on the sidelines but to recognize the boldness that awaits those who step into God's calling.

We take a break this week in our sermon series on deacons to learn from Paster Mark about spiritual leadership in the church. He teaches out of 1st Corinthians about how wrong judgements cause division, and also how unity in the church can be achieved through humility.

We are back with Pastor Ulysses as he teaches the second lesson of a three-part series on deacons. Today we learn not about what deacons do, but instead about the character of deacons. And the character traits discussed would ideally apply to all christians, not just those seeking to become deacons.

This week we take a break from the book of John to start a series on deacons. In this first part of the series, we learn what exactly do deacons do and their responsibilities based off various interpretations of scripture.

How committed are you to living out Christian principles in your everyday life? As Pastor Ulysses walks us through Jesus' trial before Pontius Pilate, we realize even Pilate, who seemingly had a strong moral compass, succumbed to the pressure from the Jewish leaders and the crowd to sentence Jesus to crucifixion. In this sermon we learn the key to holding our principles firm despite today's culture pushing against the teachings of the bible.

In this week's talk, we revisit the sermon series through the book of John, as Pastor Ulysses speaks through John 18:12-27. Here, we read of Jesus's capture and trial as He is led to His crucifixion, and almost as a parallel, observe Peter as he remains close to Jesus but ends up denying Him 3 times when confronted. This stark contrast between the way Jesus stood trial and Peter's denial is one that is worth reflecting on; How do we represent Jesus to the world? Do we hold back or are we bold in declaring the truth? In this sermon, pastor Ulysses encourages and shares why and how we can imitate Jesus's bold stance as we declare Christ to the world.

This Sunday, we are blessed with a sermon from Dr. Ryun Chang, who has long served as one of Renewal's provisional Elders. His message today unpacks the words from the writer of Hebrews in Hebrews 13:11-14, and examines the significance for our walk with Christ: We are introduced to the context and implication of the statement that Jesus "suffered outside the gate" with a powerful message that reminds us what it means to be an insider vs. an outsider, and how we should consider these positions in the context of what Christ has done.

Pastor David Kim joins us today and teaches on what Jesus has to say about community, especially in this world of loneliness and isolation. What does it mean to have an intentional community? Why is it so important? Pastor Kim walks us through five core practices of what it means to love one another well, so we can experience more of God's presence and power in our lives.

We are back with Pastor Mark as he finishes up the series on the story of Joseph. This time, the focus is on God's ultimate purpose for the gospel message. Forgiveness, redemption, and salvation are all very important concepts, but Mark suggests that reconciliation is the ultimate goal.

Why are you on this Earth? What is your purpose? In this week's sermon, our guest speaker Pastor Joel King tackles the profound question of what it means to live out our God-given purpose. He unveils the essential principles for living a truly beautiful, kingdom-centered, and meaningful life.

What do you value most in life? As Christians, we know the answer should be "God," but do our daily lives truly reflect this? This Sunday, our guest speaker Pastor Paul reveals to us the importance of God's presence and why it should be valued above everything else the world has to offer.