Renew Communities Teaching Podcast

Revelation is a complicated book that carries with it a lot of baggage based on each person's personal experience with the book. In week 1 of our 12 week series in Revelation, we take a look at what the book of Revelation actually is according to its author. As we work through the literary framework of the book we get to the main purpose John has and that’s to point Christ followers to Christ and remind them of His centrality in all things. This forces us to reflect on how we’re doing at following Jesus and responding to Him in our daily lives.

The primary goal of the mission Jesus in sending his followers on is that other people may know the life-changing love of God through Jesus. This isn’t a job for someone else - it’s a job for you and he’s sending you to share with the people your life intersects with. In this sermon, you’ll hear 4 reasons you should feel confident in going and you’ll be challenged to look for the opportunities wherever you live your life.

In week 2 of our series, we talk about how to see what God is doing in our world and ways we can join him in His work. Listen as we evaluate the things that God may already be doing and how you can get involved where you live, work, learn and play.

In week 1 of our series “Your Life is Your Mission”, we begin by talking through what it means to be sent like Jesus to the places we live, work, learn & play. For many of us, this can be a daunting circumstance but we are not sent out in our own power but with help from God. Listen as we take a personal look at what this might look like for your life!

The Jesus story doesn’t end with the cross or the resurrection. There’s still more to come but we’re in the midst of the waiting. It can feel a bit pointless to our lives in 2019 but the return of Jesus holds great meaning for you today and for eternity. In our final week of We Believe in Jesus we talk about where Jesus is now, what He’s doing and why it matters.

The morning of the resurrection of Jesus must have been shocking to the people who first discovered Jesus came back from the dead. It’s not what you’d expect because it’s not how the world works. In the resurrection, we see the world being made new and it’s something that can happen to you too - if you let God have access to your life.

Two things that don't mix, the divine and the human. In response to the evil in our world, God did the unthinkable. He became a man in Jesus. In the second week of our Jesus series, we unpack two massive implications: Jesus forever cements our view of who God is and also what it truly means to be human.

When most of us think of who Jesus is our mind goes directly to his 33 years on earth. This is a great place to start but before Jesus ever walked the earth He was busy being Jesus. In week one of our We Believe in Jesus series we look at the supremacy of this Jesus and why He is Lord of all.

For most of us, our agenda comes first. We all have lists of things that need to get done. But for many, time with Jesus is optional. When it comes to being with Jesus, some of us come for a “snack” on Sunday morning but the rest of the week binge on junk food. In the final week of our "Just Be" series we talk about why sitting and being with Jesus isn't just important, it's necessary.

Is it possible that you’re addicted to doing, producing, achieving and accomplishing? Have you ever wondered why you can’t put down your computer or your cell phone? Have you ever had a day off but before you know it you have an intense need to get something done? In week three of our Just Be series, we talk about why so many of us are addicted to doing and what Jesus is calling us to when he says “come to me and I will give you rest for your soul.”

Often the reason we give for not stopping to rest is that we don’t think we can afford to stop. There is actually great value in stopping and in week 2 of our Just Be series we share a framework for discovering who you are, where you’ve been and where you're going that just isn’t possible if you don’t stop.

The natural rhythm of our world is non-stop action. Everyone’s so busy and it feels like we’re only adding more to our schedules. What if that’s actually not the way God made the world to work? What if the way God made the world to work and made you and I to work were centered around a rhythm of rest and work? In week 1 of our, Just Be series we look at the damage we’re doing to our heart, soul, and mind by never stopping and the invitation from God to stop and rest in Him.

When a couple makes vows on their wedding day they are promising to be faithful to their spouse for the rest of their lives. We all know that there are things that threaten our faithfulness and in our final week of “Tighten the Knot” we dig in to see what the biggest threat to our faithfulness is - not just in marriage but in friendship and our faith.

Every relationship has its ups and its downs and when we’re down it’s easy for things to devolve into a fight. Fighting can easily be labeled as “bad” in a marriage but the truth is in order for any relationship to thrive you have to be willing to fight. The key is knowing what you’re fighting for. In week 3 of our Tighten the Knot series we discuss why we fight and how we combat the greatest threats to our marriages.

One of the number one reasons that people begin to pursue divorce is the idea that they’ve “grown apart” and “stopped having fun.” When couples try and recapture “the magic” there’s a lot of pressure on finding enjoyment and happiness in their marriage which can often make things worse. In week 2 of Tighten the Knot, we uncover the formula for fun in marriage which actually starts with finding joy and gladness with God and we give you practical tools to have fun together in your relationship.

The purpose of your marriage is to show off the nature and character of God to the world so that when people see the way you live with each other, they will see what God is like. In the first week of our relationship series, we talk about how actually following Jesus will make your marriage better and also how it will make you better at marriage.

The garden of Eden was never meant to stay just a garden. Humanity was meant to rule, develop and take care of the world. In the last week of our "Who I Am" series, we discuss why what we do shouldn't be where we find our identity. Rather how our idea of work and vocation should be drastically redefined by our identity in Christ and the original intent God had for humanity.

We live in a world driven by consumerism and materialism so it's almost impossible to not be defined by the things we have or wish we had. In week 3 of our "Who I Am" series we discuss why we are so easily defined by these things and the direction, Jesus gives us to combat this. We also look at 4 practical ways to apply truth to our circumstances that may remind us we are who God says we are. [this sermon audio/video is lower quality because it is from a Facebook Live broadcast since we had to cancel our gatherings due to snow]

Relationships are one of the most important aspects of life. We have friends, family, and work relationships that have a tremendous impact on our lives but for so many of us, our relationships define who we are and how we see ourselves. In week 2 of our "Who I Am" series we discuss how defining ourselves by these relationships can do damage to our souls and what it looks like to be defined by our relationship with God.

We all are looking for the one thing that can define our lives and complete us. We look for it in what we do, what we have and who loves us. The search for significance in these things can be both exhausting and unpredictable. In week one of our Who I Am series, we declare that you are not what you do, what you have or who loves you-you are who God says you are! Listen as we talk about how to know and believe that in your everyday life.