Renew Covenant Church Sermons

Christ is Risen. And Jesus is real! Jesus reveals himself to his disciples, showing them his hands and feet. Though they continue to doubt, Jesus asks for something to eat and shares a meal with them. He then charges them to be his witnesses. What has Jesus done in your life? When do you doubt this? Continue to share the Good News of What Jesus is doing!

Palm Sunday Sermon

"All Out Love" by Dave Sim || John 12:1-8 || 04.06.2025 by RC2 Lynnwood

We are excited to welcome Lenore Three Stars as our guest speaker at Renew. Lenore speaks, rights, and teaches from a Native perspective on decolonizing theology and racial reconciliation.

34 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. 35 Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

As we begin the season of Lent, we are invited to follow Jesus’ example of being led by the Spirit into spaces that invite challenging choices and a clear dependence on God.

33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

"Anger" by Dave Sim || Matthew 5:21-26 || 02.16.2025 by RC2 Lynnwood

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.

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.

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?

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.’

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?

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.

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.

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.