Pastor Scott shares three stories in Acts 16, in which God reaches the hearts of unlikely people and in bizarre circumstances. Paul and Silas’ missionary journey through Macedonia is a reminder to be led by the Spirit in the midst of life’s adventures, to let God do the work of changing people as we share the gospel and spend time with them.
Standalone Sermons: Fall Reset
It’s important to take a pause and remember why we do what we do. Why do we gather as a church? What is our mission? How are we doing? Renaissance Church is currently in a season of rebuilding, and we have been reshaping the ways we gather in order to fulfill three components of the Church’s mission: to love God, love one another, and love our neighbors. Pastor Scott highlights how the Ren community can embody components of our purpose through corporate worship and prayer (love God), small communities (love one another), and mission initiatives (love your neighbor).
Acts: False Doctrines
Acts 15
The Church has faced the problem of false teaching since its early days. In Acts 15, a false teaching contrary to the gospel message spreads through church communities, and the apostles and elders confront the claims. Pastor Scott emphasizes the seriousness of absorbing distorted teaching, and gives practical wisdom for recognizing false doctrines today.
Acts: Christian Perseverance
Acts 14
In Acts 14, Paul and Barnabas continue to preach the gospel, heal people, and encourage the church, despite nearly being stoned to death in Lystra. Looking at Paul and Barnabas’ example, Chris Waugh encourages Christians to persevere in the faith. Perseverance is one of the greatest character traits a Christian must develop, and is necessary in the face of spiritual attack and in faith-filled work.
Acts: The Beautiful + Disruptive Work of the Holy Spirit
Acts 13
In Acts 13, Paul and Barnabas begin their missionary journey through the mediterranean region. When they preach the gospel, Jews and Gentiles respond to the claims about Jesus with either belief or jealousy. The journey that Paul and Barnabas take gives a snapshot of the joy and the messiness that comes with obeying the Holy Spirit. Pastor Scott encourages believers to continue bringing the gospel into godless places. It is worth the cost, for believers partner with the Holy Spirit to reconcile people to God.
Standalone Sermons: We Need a Move of God
Leviticus 24:1-4
Our guest speaker of this message is Percy Ballah who pastors at Impact Center Providence. Percy preaches on the need to keep burning brightly as a Church, using the symbolism of fire. In Leviticus 24:1-4, God commands the people of Israel to prepare “pure oil” for a lamp in front of the tabernacle in order to keep the lamp burning continuously. Just as the Israelites needed to make fresh oil, we too as the people of God, the Church, need fresh fire from God to keep burning brightly and bring light into a dark world.
Acts: Big Prayers
Acts 12
In Acts 12, the church prays for Peter’s release from prison, of which God sends an angel to break him free. Just as the early church was bold enough in their faith to pray earnestly, John Michaelson challenges us to pray big, audacious prayers in our day and time.
Standalone Sermons: Jesus—Good News for the Poor
John 6:1-14
Tim Zulker is a founder and director of the network New England Urban Church Planting that resides in Providence. Tim unpacks John 6, the story of Jesus feeding a crowd of over five thousand with five barley loaves and two fish. This message reiterates that Jesus came not only to preach good news to the poor and feed the hungry, but to become good news for the poor, become the bread of life. The good news is not only for the materially poor but for the spiritually poor, which is everyone.
Standalone Sermons: Mental Health + Spiritual Warfare
Mark 5
Dr. Mike Caparelli is an author, public speaker, and a leader of a nonprofit, Unmuted, that helps trauma victims recover on a path toward healing. While much psychological activity is biological, there is a facet of mental health that involves a battle of the soul. Mike’s message looks at the story of a man with a demon that was healed by Jesus (Mark 5) and discusses the interplay of mental health with demonic forces.
Standalone Sermons: Fire for Revival
1 Kings 18:16-39
This message comes from Greg Johnson, a local ministry leader who is launching a church training initiative called Revive New England. Greg discusses the need for God’s fire, the manifestation of God’s presence, to see revival in New England today, looking at the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18 as an illustration.