Design

Scott Axtmann
February 26, 2017

This is the first message in a series exploring what God says about the church. A foundation is laid for the idea of membership and a strong argument is presented for the full devotion of each member. Pastor Scott expounds on some of the metaphors for the church given in Ephesians 2 and 1 Corinthians 12. At the end of the message the reasons that many Christians are reticent to becoming fully devoted members of a local church are dealt with one by one. The overall aim of this pastoral talk is to ignite a greater passion for the local church and to activate a more full devotion to building what God is building – namely, the local church – for the glory of his name. To love God is to love the local church.

Works

Scott Axtmann
March 5, 2017

We do not earn our salvation by good works but once saved we are God's workmanship created to display good works. Jesus said, let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify the Father in heaven. Good works are to adorn the message of the Gospel. Good works make the Gospel attractive. When a church is strong in doctrine but not demonstrating compassion and kindness it can actually repel. But when the message is accompanied by acts of kindness, generosity and compassion it makes an impact. Pastor Scott shares some of the ways Ren Church has been led by God to lavish grace upon the city through the years. And a challenge is given at the end to continue on all the more in the days to come.

Ethos

Scott Axtmann
March 12, 2017

Since the church began in 2003 we have worked hard to articulate in writing and preaching the essential ethos of the church. Ethos is what drives us. It's the culture of Ren. In one sense all churches everywhere in every generation should have fixed aspects but in another sense each local church takes on unique shapes to incarnate the Gospel in the particular settings they are embedded in. This message is another attempt to bring clarity to what Ren holds dear as a church. Pastor Scott shares ten aspects of ethos that have distinguished the church since its inception. Messages like this are important not only for people trying to determine if Ren is a good fit but also as a reminder to the Core members of what sort of church we are striving to be.

Dream

Scott Axtmann
March 19, 2017

In this fourth message of the Ren 101 series the idea of dreaming big is explored. In 2017 in the city of Providence it is very easy to become cynical and unbelieving about lofty ideas like seeing a dramatic revival that changes the moral climate of society. Churches are in decline, pastors leave the ministry, so-called converts fall away, church plants close and the majority of Christians struggle to be full of hope. Pastor Scott anchors mainly in the story of Gideon to show how God can turn things around when His people begin to repent and cry out to Him. The last segment of the sermon is a flurry of dreams the church is believing God for. This message is aimed to stir the listener to dream big because God has given us an open invitation to believe Him to do exceedingly abundantly beyond what we ask or imagine.

Devotion

Scott Axtmann
March 26, 2017

In this last message of the series Pastor Scott brings home the idea that dreaming and planning are not enough. We must be devoted to God and the local church. Several specific things the church should be devoted to are discussed using Acts 2:42-47 as inspiration. An emphasis on having the right heart in our devotion is threaded throughout the message.