Philippians 1:12–30
What if the very things meant to silence faith actually make it stronger? In this message, Pastor Scott unpacks how Paul’s imprisonment—and even the selfish motives of others—became unexpected catalysts for the spread of the gospel. Drawing from Paul’s deep joy amid suffering, we’re reminded that God can use opposition, hardship, and even death itself to move His purposes forward. This message invites us to see our own trials through the same lens of unstoppable joy.
Philippians 1:1-11
This message reflects on Paul’s warm affection for the church in Philippi and uses his prayer as a model for how Renaissance Church should pray in this season of renewed corporate prayer. It emphasizes that prayer must be more than activity—it must align with God’s will, flow from a right understanding of His character, and be supported by a righteous life. This is a call to the church to abound in a love grounded deeply in truth in order to be a radiant witness in the world that brings glory and praise to God.
How do you prepare to get ready for an influx of new believers as a result of prayer? This week, guest speaker Tim Zulker—executive director of New England Urban Church Planting and longtime mentor to leaders across Rhode Island—shared a message from Ephesians 4:1–16 about preparing for revival through unity and maturity in Christ. He reminded us that the gospel follows a specific pattern—what Christ has done first, and then how we respond. Following the pattern can we live lives worthy of our calling. A unified and growing church, marked by humility, gentleness, and love, is the best preparation for new believers God will bring. Tim urged us to reject cultural divisiveness, pursue reconciliation, and use our gifts to build up the body—because the local church is the most important thing happening on earth.
Luke 11
In this sermon on prayer and revival, Vicky Griffiths encourages us to rethink how we approach God. Drawing from Luke 11, the teaching emphasizes bold, persistent, and shamelessly audacious prayer—asking, seeking, and knocking until we see results. Jesus models a relationship with a loving Father, assuring us that God delights in giving good gifts, especially the ultimate gift: the Holy Spirit. Through stories—from the disciples learning to pray, to a personal family tale of tending tomato plants—the sermon highlights that persistence in prayer, fueled by love and faith, develops patience, humility, and trust. The message closes with a call to reflect, share, and pray together, putting persistence into action in our own spiritual journeys. Here are two discussion questions that the congregation answered in small groups after the sermon:
Reflect on how you feel about prayer.
Is there something that’s encouraged you recently?
Is there an area where you are feeling resistance?
In this message on Prayer and Revival, Pastor Scott reminds us that revival isn’t just emotional hype but a move of God that awakens us to His presence and reshapes everyday life. Looking at examples like the Moravian prayer movement and Isaiah’s vision of God’s holiness, he shows how revival begins with repentance, brokenness, and a fresh awareness of God. Scott challenges us to ask, “What is my assignment?”—whether that’s foster care, refugee ministry, local service or whatever—and to increase our prayer intensity because some strongholds only break through prayer and fasting. With unusual hunger for God rising in our region, the call is clear: contend in prayer, push back darkness, and build a lifestyle of prayer that fuels lasting transformation.
In part two of our Prayer and Revival series, we focus on how to keep the fire of prayer burning once God has lit it in our hearts. We look at the importance of abiding in God’s love—rejecting condemnation and coming boldly to Him even when we feel weak or unworthy. We also talk about the need to persevere through struggle, since distractions, disappointments, and spiritual resistance often try to quench our prayer life. This message is a call to keep seeking God no matter what we feel, trusting Him to use every trial to deepen our fire and draw us closer to Him.
This sermon launches a three-week series on Prayer and Revival, calling the church to pursue a deeper, Spirit-filled life. Scott explains that revival is not hype or a planned event but an extraordinary outpouring of the Spirit that awakens people to God, brings repentance, and fills believers with fresh zeal. He gives three appeals: Believe – be awakened to God’s eagerness to pour out His Spirit and refuse to settle for spiritual mediocrity; Weep – see the Church and world from God’s perspective, allowing holy sorrow to fuel prayer; and Consecrate – deal ruthlessly with sin and remove distractions that crowd out devotion. Without prayerful consecration, we remain spiritually dry and ineffective. The message calls the church to reorient life around the pursuit of God, making prayer, fasting, and devotion top priorities, preparing for a fresh move of the Spirit in this generation.
2 Samuel 23
In this sermon, we explore what it means to “fight the good fight of faith,” not against people, but against the spiritual forces of evil, pursuing the fullness of God in our lives. Drawing from 2 Samuel 23:8-12, we see how David’s mighty men exemplified tenacity, perseverance, and loyalty—even in private, unseen moments—and how these qualities are essential for spiritual growth and impact. The message challenges us to remain steadfast in trials, resist distraction, and unite as a community, trusting that God empowers us to overcome and bring revival, influence our generation, and take hold of the abundant promises of His kingdom.
In this message from Ezekiel 24, we’re reminded of the weighty call of the prophets and the surpassing greatness of God’s glory. Ezekiel’s ministry was marked by extraordinary suffering—his very life became a series of signs pointing God’s people back to Him. The most striking moment came when God told Ezekiel that his wife, “the delight of [his] eyes,” would be taken from him, and that he was not to grieve in the usual way. This became a vivid picture for Israel, showing that just as Ezekiel lost what was most precious, the people too would lose the temple—the “delight of their eyes”—because they had loved the gifts of God more than God Himself. Mark Skillin’s sermon challenges us to examine our own hearts. Do we treasure God above all else, or do we allow His good gifts to eclipse our worship of Him?
Looking at Hebrews 10:19–25, guest speaker Nick Fatato reminds us that because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we have full access to God’s presence—not by anything we’ve done, but by His blood. This truth calls us to live with intention: to draw near to God, hold firmly to our hope in Christ, spur one another on toward love and good deeds, stay rooted in the church community, and offer daily encouragement to others. In a world that often pulls us toward selfishness or despair, the resurrection makes us “prisoners of hope,” confident that every trial is temporary and our eternity with Christ is secure.
Nick Fatato serves as superintendent of the Assemblies of God ministry network in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, and works globally with Live Dead—a missionary movement focused on planting churches among unreached people groups in challenging and often dangerous regions. He and his wife, Gina, have also been long-time mentors to Pastor Scott and Tiffany.