This is the second message of a two part series in an effort to bring more clarity to our December art installation called Light Project. There were eight separate rooms each communicating a different idea. This message expounds on the last three rooms which deal with the themes of conversion of the soul, growth as a follower of Jesus and the future glory in store for those who love Christ. This talk is especially relevant to anyone who is struggling to fully surrender to Christ.
Light Project: Illuminated
The 2019 art installation, called Light Project, brought in nearly 700 people. The aim of the installation was to introduce people to the person of Christ using the Scriptural metaphor of light and darkness. Because art can be interpreted differently by different people, and is easy to misinterpret, we decided to follow up the installation with two clear spoken messages to illuminate the precise meaning of each of the eight installations. This first message addresses the first five ideas—Light is, light delights, light reveals, light exposes and light dispels. At the end Scott ties it all together and helps the hearers to understand why all this matters.
Communion Sundays: Titus 3:3-7
"For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." Titus 3:3-7
Revival: Give Him No Rest
This is the last in the series on Revival and it ends with a great push to persevere. All the things talked about in the series need to be done in a persistent way. It’s not enough to just go at it for a short time. It’s essential to pray “until” the Spirit is poured out from on high. Scott uses Isaiah 62 as his main text to bring out these ideas. The last part of the sermon several, potential momentum-quenchers are addressed. Let nothing and no one stop us from night and day pursuit of the glory of God!!!
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.
Revival: Remember the Poor
To be Christian is to care for the poor. To care for the poor is to know God. Proverbs 21:13 says, “whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.” All our efforts to pray, fast and cry out for revival will be in vain if we do not relate to the poor properly. Scott brings us into Isaiah 58 and talks about the sort of fasting that God requires. It is fasting accompanied by a lifestyle of pouring out for the hungry and afflicted. Caring for the poor can be complicated and this is acknowledged; however, we simply cannot throw aside the call because it’s challenging. We must figure out how to live like Jesus in our city!
Revival: Pray
In this great pursuit of revival, prayer is an essential element. Extraordinary prayer has been a distinguishing feature of all historic revivals. Most of us know prayer is important and desire to have a deep life of prayer, however, we struggle to find a vibrant satisfying deep experience. This message focuses not so much that we should pray but on the how. Several neglected forms of prayer are discussed that deepen intimacy with God. The last part of the message lists several obstacles to prayer and practical wisdom on how to overcome them. This message is pure encouragement, not just for the person who doesn’t prayer at all, but for the person who is presently in a prayer rut.
Revival: Be Holy
In this great pursuit of revival the call to be holy is essential. In order for God’s Spirit to come with full force the way must be cleared. Every genuine revival is marked by deep conviction, repentance and holiness. Much attention is given in the sermon to explaining exactly what repentance is and how it’s not a one-time act but an ongoing ethic in the Christian life. The enemy (Satan) works very hard to frustrate the work of genuine repentance with subtle deception. The Apostle Paul tells us we are not unaware of Satan’s schemes. Pastor Scott spends the last part of the message exposing the lies of the evil one. Overall, this message brings clarity to how a Christian should think about and relate to sin.
Revival: Narrow Your Interests
Tabatha Mello, who is one of the directors of Teen Challenge, brought the entire women’s home to share stories and songs. The glory of God was displayed powerfully. Tabatha preached a strong message on revival and the importance of narrowing your interests for the sake of going deeper in Christ. She talked plainly about the many good things that can pull us away from the best things. She used 2 Peter chapter one as her main anchor text.
Revival: Gaze on Heaven
Most Christians understand the importance of earnest prayer, fasting and reaching people who don’t know God. The problem lies in the lack of motivation. One of the greatest motivators to devotion is a vision of heaven. Scripture tells us much about what is in store in eternity for those who love Christ. This sermon especially focuses on the portrait of the New Heavens and New Earth described in Revelation 21-22. At the end of the message Pastor Scott explains how a vision of eternal glory will drive us to seek God because we don’t want anyone we love to miss out. Scott talks about how information, relevance and love is not enough to reach the world. What is needed is divine power. Scott pleads with the community to go deep in light of what is at stake for people we love who are not presently heaven-bound.