Pastor Nate takes a look at the life of Elijah through two of his life events, the triumph over the prophets of Baal and the subsequent depression that hit him afterwards and led him to isolation in a cave. Through Elijah's life we are reminded that we have a God who knows all of our needs and cares us for us, whether we are on spiritual mountaintops or spiritual valleys. At the end of the message, Pastor Scott leads us in a very important meditation on Communion.
Epic Stories: Ruth
Pastor Scott brings us through the story of Ruth and Naomi. Naomi had a life filled with suffering and loss, her husband and two sons both dead at young ages. She believed God was against her. Through the book of Ruth we see how God uses things in her life to show her his kindness and goodness to her. The suffering wasn't reversed but new kindnesses came to her and showed the mercy of God. Many of us find ourselves in the same place as Naomi, feeling God is distant or against us. But if we keep our mind and our heart open we will see the goodness of God, as he pursues us with his grace, mercy and love.
Epic Stories: Samson
Samson was a man who had great parents, a unique call from God and great power. Despite being entrusted and gifted with much, his life was filled with defiance, arrogance and anger. His cockiness eventually led to the power of God being removed from his life and him ending up in bondage. But God still used Samson to lead his people out of oppression from the Philistines. Pastor Scott reminds us that we can often act like Samson and get confused and deceived that our sin is not a big deal because God continues to work through us. But his sin was eventually his undoing. We should remember to not let sin dwell and fester inside of us, but to go to God and be open and let him cleanse us and transform us.
Epic Stories: Gideon
In this sermon Pastor Nate explores the story of Gideon, looking at the confused religious & social mentality of the people of Gideon's time. They wanted God's help, but also wanted to serve other gods. God used Gideon as an instrument to lead the people out of their oppression, even though Gideon was afraid, he went from being a coward to being courageous. This kind of transformation still happens now as God can transform us and give us courage to follow Him.
Epic Stories: Joshua and the Jordan River
In the book of Joshua we see a community of people following the promises of God. The generation before them had shrunk back from the call of God and his promises. But Joshua and the people stepped into the Jordan River believing God would stop the waters and lead them through. Pastor Scott reminds us not only of this miraculous story, but about the promises of God and the call in our generation to follow God and not shrink back. We can respond like the generation of Joshua.
Epic Stories: Moses and the Burning Bush
God heard the cries of the Hebrew people being oppressed in Egypt, his response was to send Moses, a former murderer in exile, to lead them out of captivity. It was through a burning bush that Moses saw the holiness and power of God. He tried to turn away from the call of God, but God showed him that He would go with him and speak through him. Pastor Scott gives an important reminder for us today that it is the Spirit of God that works in us and gives us all we need. God might call us to something difficult, but he will always give us exactly what we need.
Epic Stories: Noah
The story of Noah brings the judgment and wrath of God to the forefront. The people of Noah's time were abundant and sin and would not listen to the calls to repentance. God takes sin very seriously and while the door to the Ark was open, there came a time when it was shut. Pastor Scott implores us through this message to confront ourselves with what the Bible says and who God is, to grow in trust and truth.
Epic Stories: Adam and Eve
Pastor Scott takes a look at the Biblical account of Adam & Eve reminding us of why were we created by God. By examining their rebellion of God we see some of the root causes of our own rebellion towards God. The temptation to turn from God is great, but the call to live under God and live the lives we were created to live is greater.
Go: Walking in Wisdom
Christians have this unique role to inspire, to move people to pursue Jesus. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are Jesus' ambassadors here in the world. Pastor Scott reminds us to walk in wisdom as we communicate the gospel to those around us, to be gracious, to be respectful, to be reconcilers. We should not be overbearing or condemning but filled with joy, allowing the beauty of what Christ has done in us to shine through.
Go: The Power of Community
This message comes out of Acts chapter 2 showing us the portrait of Christian community of the early church. From them we see the importance of the church in being an example, a witness to the power and grace of Jesus. The reality is that in our present time there are obstacles to the church being a witness. Pastor Scott examines these things and portrays for us the vision and hope of what community would be like at Renaissance Church.