Pastor Scott tackles one of today’s most divisive topics and challenges Christians on both sides of the political aisle to take a hard look at how they engage. Politics matter, but what happens when loyalty to a party starts to compete with loyalty to Jesus? From demonizing political opponents to twisting Scripture to defend our own side, Pastor Scott explores how Christians can stand firmly for truth without abandoning grace. What if the Church could model a radical kind of civility that our deeply divided nation desperately needs? Stick around until the end for a powerful and moving testimony from David Karambizi that you won’t want to miss.
Salt of the Earth: Opposition
What if the biggest source of opposition in our lives isn’t coming from the world around us, but from our own hearts? In this message, Mark explores the biblical idea that humanity is born with an oppositional nature, beginning with Adam and Eve’s rejection of God’s wisdom. He challenges the modern tendency to look everywhere else for the root of our problems while ignoring the ancient wisdom of Scripture. Using engaging personal stories, Mark highlights the heavy bondage of sin and our need for a Savior.
Salt of the Earth: Neighborhood
What if loving your neighbor actually meant knowing your neighbor? Pastor Scott challenges us to look beyond our busy schedules, closed doors, and comfortable routines and start building real relationships with the people God has placed around us. Through stories from his own neighborhood, he shows how small risks, simple conversations, and acts of kindness can open doors to meaningful connection. He reminds us that loving our neighbors is not about forcing faith conversations, but about being present, available, and willing to serve. What could happen if Christians became known for genuinely loving the people who live right next door?
Salt of the Earth: Justice
Who determines good from evil, and who is responsible for ensuring justice is done? As believers, how do we navigate controversial issues to do with justice in our world? In this message, Vicky explores how Biblical justice springs from two foundational principles; that God is perfectly just (Deuteronomy 32:4) and that we are all created in His image (Genesis 1:27). We explore how themes of justice persist throughout the Bible, as God acts to protect society's most vulnerable members from the effects of sin, culminating in sending His Son, Jesus, to bring freedom to the oppressed and atone for all wrongdoing against His image bearers once and for all (Romans 3:23-26). As we wait for the day when all injustice will be dealt with, either through the cross or through His wrath, we follow the advice of Micah 6:8 and the example of Christ, to seek justice in all our spheres of influence with mercy and humility in mind (Micah 6:8).
Salt of the Earth: Work
In this talk, Max (one of our Ren elders) takes a fresh look at work and what it means to live out our calling. He explores the idea that our everyday jobs, responsibilities, and even the seemingly mundane tasks of life can be meaningful ways to serve God and others. Max also challenges the idea that our career should define our identity, reminding us that our calling is bigger than our job title and can change throughout different seasons of life. Max shares stories, humor, and practical questions to help us think about what we are contributing, how we are doing it, and who we are becoming in the process. This message offers an encouraging perspective on finding purpose in the ordinary and living faithfully right where we are.
Salt of the Earth: Conflict
Conflict is something we all experience, whether it’s within ourselves, in our relationships, or in the world around us. In this sermon Brian (one of our Ren elders) explores how we can respond to conflict as Christians, reminding us that conflict isn’t always bad and can sometimes lead to growth. Through the struggles of Paul and Jesus, he shows us that doubt, temptation, and difficult emotions don’t make us failures. Instead, we can be honest about what we’re experiencing, lean on others, and bring it to God through prayer. Ultimately, conflict can become an opportunity to trust God more deeply and learn to respond in ways that reflect Christ.
Salt of the Earth: Hospitality
Anyone can throw a dinner party or host a friend for the weekend, but biblical hospitality is different. In this message Vicky explores how, at the heart of the gospel, is an unimaginable hospitality driven and motivated by God's love. It is because of this love that we are not welcomed by God as a paying customer, a passing visitor, or as an annoying disturbance, but as family, to dwell in God's own house as His child.
We examine how this love was expressed in action throughout Jesus' ministry, and then consider how love is the key ingredient in our hospitality too. Love will help us offer hospitality without grumbling, with a generosity that we cannot muster on our own, and most importantly, broadly and widely, even to the stranger in our midst. When done with love, giving and receiving hospitality will be imbued with purpose as we allow space for God's restoration, goodness and peace to be imparted.
Salt of the Earth: Church
Pastor Scott continues the Salt of the Earth series with a compelling look at why the local church matters so much. He challenges us to move beyond simply attending church and to become fully devoted participants who serve, give, pray, and bring our unique gifts to build up the body. Scott reminds us that the church is imperfect, but when every member plays their part in the power of the Holy Spirit, something beautiful and powerful can happen. This message is an invitation to overcome lukewarmness, prepare our hearts, and believe for gatherings where people encounter the living God and leave changed.
Salt of the Earth: Friendship
Mark takes a fresh look at friendship and why it matters far more than we often realize. Drawing from Scripture and the works of C.S. Lewis, he explains that the best friendships seem to happen almost unexpectedly, when people discover a shared passion or a kindred spirit. Unlike romantic love, friendship isn’t about being absorbed in each other. Rather, it’s about enjoying something together and making that enjoyment even richer. Most of all, Mark reminds us that these special relationships are a gift from God, so we should recognize them, treasure them, and see them as a reflection of God’s own love.
Salt of the Earth: Words
Words have the power to wound, heal, discourage, and give life. Every one of us has experienced their impact. This recording begins with a brief testimony from Josi about the power of words, followed by Pastor Scott's message from our Salt of the Earth series. Drawing from Scripture and personal stories, Pastor Scott explores why our words matter so deeply to God and how they reveal what's happening in our hearts. You'll be encouraged to cultivate a heart that overflows with grace, so your words become a source of life and hope to those around you. This is a timely message that will challenge the way you think about the words you speak every day.