This message is not so much of a sermon or teaching but is what I call a pastoral talk. There is a prophetic element to the talk, as well. In other words, there's a strong sense that this is a timely word from the Lord for the Church. The message was birthed out of an unshakable burden I've carried during this pandemic over countless believers who are drifting away from the Lord. The enemy of the Church (Satan) is taking advantage of the pandemic to push God's people into addictions, doubts, discouragement, fear and other snares. The message is intended to be call to the Church to stand firm. And also a call to pray for our dear brothers and sisters in Christ who are struggling.
Standalone Sermons: Conscience
Today we have a guest preacher, Mike Caparelli, who is the director of Unmuted. The mission of Unmuted is to give victims of various kinds of traumatic experiences their voices back. Mike speaks from 2 Samuel 13 and the idea of the conscience. He challenges listeners to stay attuned to what their God-given conscience is telling them, and warns of the consequences of stifling the conscience.
Standalone Sermons: Good Samaritan
I intended on resuming our sermon series on the book of Ephesians but about the middle of this week I felt moved to stay on the theme of racial justice. I’ve been reading a lot and watching a lot of content lately and trying to get perspectives from every angle. Listening to a black pastor (TD Jakes) share his story this week with Hillsong NYC pastor (Carl Lenz) left me undone. I admit that there is so much suffering in the world that I can hear about and feel numb to. But when I listened to this pastor, it was as if the Lord Himself was helping me to understand and feel empathy. In one point of the conversation the pastor was talking about the parable of the Good Samaritan and it became the seed for this week's sermon.
Standalone Sermons: Controlling Relationships
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.