Renew Covenant Church Sermons

A command to love the stranger.

The people of Malta warmly welcomed Paul and his companions, offering fire, food, and shelter. Paul's healing of Publius affirmed their kindness and opened doors for ministry, showing how hospitality reveals God's character. Hospitality is a reciprocal and relational reality. We need to learn not only to give it, but to receive it. In receiving hospitality we contribute to vulnerable and safe space making.

God prepares a feast for all people, breaking barriers and inviting everyone to His table. This sets the foundation for our call to extend hospitality. Application: Reflect on how we can create spaces of abundance and inclusion in our homes, churches, and communities.

Jesus shifts the crowd’s focus from physical bread to Himself as the true, life-giving sustenance. God is not just a provider of temporary needs, but the giver of eternal life through Christ—the “bread from heaven” who satisfies the soul’s deepest hunger.

This week we will wrap our study of Matthew . As we walk as disciples with Jesus, we will need to ask: do our preconceived and culturally influenced notions of “how to live” fit with Christ’s teachings? Do our previously held expectations and traditions come with us as we follow? As we wrap up this series, we will be sure we are focusing on going where He leads, not what the world attempts to demand.

In Matthew 8:14-16, Jesus heals Peter's mother-in-law by touching her hand, which causes her fever to leave her and she begins to serve them. This miracle demonstrates Jesus' power and compassion.

The Roman centurion demonstrates extraordinary faith by believing Jesus can heal his servant from a distance, without needing to physically visit. His humility is exemplary: “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof.” He recognizes Jesus’ divine authority, likening it to his own command over soldiers: when he gives orders, they are obeyed.

Jesus heals a leper.

Matthew 7:24-29 New International Version 24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” 28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

Jesus presents a stark choice between two ways: the wide path and the narrow path. One leads to destruction and the other to life. The narrow path reflects the way of discipleship, marked by inward transformation and obedience.

We continue in our Sermon on the Mount Series with a sermon on the Golden Rule.

"Ask, Seek, Knock" || Amanda Moffat || Matthew 7:7-11 || 07.06.2025 by RC2 Lynnwood

“Who are the Dogs and Pigs?” || Dave Sim || Matthew 7:6 || 06.29.2025 by RC2 Lynnwood

Jesus delivers a strong warning against judgment and hypocrisy. He commands, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged," urging us to approach others with humility rather than condemnation, challenging us to engage in honest self-reflection before correcting others.

Jesus teaches about trusting God instead of worrying. He urges His followers not to be anxious about their basic needs—food, drink, and clothing—because God, who cares for the birds and flowers, will surely provide for His people as well.

"Prayer" || Tim Hsieh || Matthew 6:5-15 || 06.01.2025 by RC2 Lynnwood

Jesus continues to press into the “heart” of matters–that faith begins from the inside out. Jesus warns against performing righteous acts for public recognition and instead encourages sincere, private generosity that seeks God's approval rather than human praise.

Jesus' teachings in Matthew 5:38-48 are a powerful example of subversive non-violence. In this passage, Jesus challenges the traditional "eye for an eye" principle and instead calls for radical love, non-retaliation, and enemy love. He instructs his followers to turn the other cheek, give more than what is demanded, and go the extra mile—all actions that disrupt cycles of violence without resorting to aggression

Renew’s founding verses are embedded in this passage. What does it mean to live into the Good News of these words pointing forward to Jesus’ ministry? We are growing deeper roots as ambassadors of reconciliation and participants in God’s renewing of all things.

John 17:13-21 NRSV 3 But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 15 I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. 16 They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth. 20 “I ask not only on behalf of these but also on behalf of those who believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.