Special guest, Dr. Michael Caparelli, has served as a lead pastor in Rhode Island for over 10 years. He has recently branched out to begin a new ministry called UnMuted, giving victims of trauma their voices back. This particular message was about controlling relationships. The classic story of Pharaoh’s relationship with the people of Israel (Exodus 5) was used as an illustration of how control works. The aim of the message was to bring light and freedom to anyone suffering from a toxic relationship and the courage to break the cycle of control.
Audrey Cook Calabro - Memorial Service
Audrey, Kevin Calbro’s lovely wife, recently passed away after a long battle with lung problems. Audrey was known for her amazing devotion to God. She was unwavering despite suffering so much. She is originally from Georgia so the funeral was there but we hosted a memorial service at Ren for those in their Rhode Island community. It was a time to “weep with those who weep” and rejoice that Audrey is now at home with the Lord.
Standalone Sermons: Why You Need the Church
Becky and Nate reflect on how being a part of the Church has been a source of joy, peace, love, but also a source of division, embarrassment and exhaustion. It’s invigorating and life-giving but can also be taxing and energy draining. Sometimes it seems theoretically brilliant but practically disastrous. It’s greatest asset is that Jesus is the head, but oftentimes it seems like the greatest weakness is that people are the body.
Yet despite for all the ups and downs, Church and the community it creates is the primary vehicle through which Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit chooses to change us and strengthen us to live for the Kingdom of God. Becky and Nate, in a rare tag-team sermon, share from the Scriptures and their own lives some of the reasons why we need the Church.
Standalone Sermons: Joel Charest
Joel Charest and his family are missionaries to a part of Mozambique that is primarily Islamic. He teaches from 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 about how the love of Christ compels us to share the Gospel message with others. Joel shares a powerful testimony of following the prompting of the Holy Spirit that resulted in a church being planted in a community hostile to Christianity and miraculous healing occurring through God's power.
Standalone Sermons: CityLove 2019 Recap
With the first year of our CityLove urban missionary initiative coming to a close, Pastor Scott and the CityLove missionaries each share about what they learned during this year of serving the city. Hear from Chris Waugh, Ayisha Jackson, Christina Strachoff, Asa and Heather Sohn, Jack Heibner, and Lianna Wittick as they share inspiring testimonies and unexpected lessons learned through this experience.
Standalone Sermons: MLK Sunday 2019
This was an important Sunday giving tribute to the life and message of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The theology behind King’s work was explored, as well as, an assessment of the progress we have made in America toward racial healing. Practical ideas were given on how to be agents of justice both individually and as a church. Several short messages were given (Rachel Rogers, Ayisha Jackson, Sam Jean-Baptiste) to create a symphony of diverse voices and perspectives around the theme of racial reconciliation. Pastor Scott ties it all together toward the end showing that the Gospel cannot be separated from justice work.
Standalone Sermons: Fear God
It has become common for Christians to disregard the clear commands of God. Not only is sin practiced but not much is thought of it. There’s no brokenness, no shame. Pastor Scott breaks down the message of Jesus to the church in Sardis (Revelation 3). Sardis had a reputation of being alive but the Lord said they were dead and their works were incomplete. It’s a reminder that man looks at the outward but God sees the heart. In a sidebar Scott lays out ten of the most commonly disregarded commands that he’s seen in this generation. The call of God to the dead Sardis Christians is to wake up, remember what God has done for them and repent. The call to get right is not presented as optional but comes with a grave warning that if they don’t make things right God will come against them in judgment. This is an unusually sobering message bearing down on anything in the life of a Christian that is dead. When the church fully aligns with God’s Word the glorious result is that the Spirit rests upon her and life is manifested.
Standalone Sermons: Rescue Mission
This day featured multiple speakers. Pastor Scott kicked it off with a short message about the importance of being in proximity to the local poor. Then the service was handed off to Tony Carew from the Rescue Mission who brought a strong message from the Parable of the Talents. This was followed by three separate testimonies of people who were transformed by Jesus and now serve at the Mission in various capacities. God’s compassion for the local and global poor was displayed beautifully.
Standalone Sermons: Teen Challenge 2018
Several ladies from the local Teen Challenge share their stories of how the Gospel of Jesus transformed their lives. Tabatha Mello, one of the directors and also the leader of Ren’s ministry of prayer, preached a powerful message about counting the cost of following Jesus.
Standalone Sermons: Making Space for the Spirit
As followers of Christ we are commissioned by Jesus to bring the Gospel whenever we are planted. That may be in a far away land where people have never heard about Jesus, or it may be at work, in our school or our neighborhood. In order to be effective in this mission we must be filled with the Spirit. And in order to be filled we must make room for the Holy Spirit. Special guest Jeremy Ugumba, a campus missionary at Brown University with Inter Varsity, expounds these important ideas with passion, clarity and with inspiring stories. Jeremy lays out several practical ways we can make space for God at the end of his message.