Renew Covenant Church Sermons

Sending out of the 72 into the towns was not explicitly only to the “house of Israel” here in Luke. Jessica Hsieh and Pastor Dave Sim will offer both their takes on the passage as it relates to Renew being sent into our everyday lives/work to “do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.”

As citizens of an upside down Kingdom our witness lies in our peace-keeping, love, and good deeds that run counter to values of empire. To give a defense for the “hope you have” is less about apologetics and more about how we live our lives.

19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that[a] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.

From the start, John's Gospel declares Jesus as King through Nathanael's words: "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" (John 1:49). Throughout the Gospel, Jesus is shown as an unconventional king—one who speaks to the lowly, serves rather than being served, and remains humble. His unique kingdom is not of this world, prompting reflection on its significance for us today. Pilate’s question, "Are you the King of the Jews?" is answered through Jesus’ demonstration of kingship, authority, and reign on the Cross. We approach Advent and the close of the liturgical year reflecting on the implications of this.

Jeremiah 33:14-16 14 “‘The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah. 15 “‘In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land. 16 In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it[a] will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior.’

Paul writes while in prison in Rome. He calls the Philippians to rejoice in all circumstances. What does it look like to rejoice even in pain and suffering? What is the relationship between Joy and suffering? As we journey in this Advent season, we recognize that all is not shiny lights and happiness in this season. We recognize that for many, Christmas time is a sad time. We also recognize that our world is hurting and groaning. What does it look like for the community of faith to be of one mind and spirit and to Rejoice at all times?

The gift of Jesus fills the empty spaces of our soul with joy, good news, and praise. This abundant grace overflows and spills out to other in contagious praise.

We look at the 1st 4 Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-6. The Poor in Spirit; those who mourn; those who are meek; those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. There is a quality of lack or an awareness of lack in this group of people.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Embodying Kingdom Values in our everyday lives. Shalom, a Hebrew word for “peace,” means wholeness and well-being in all areas of life–individual, communal, and societal. Human flourishing involves fulfilling God’s purposes, nurturing relationships with God and others, living an integrated life, and fulfilling our vocations. We are called to pursue justice, reconciliation, and holistic well-being for all creation. Non-Profit/Education Panel (Steven Li, Anna, Jenn Chong Jewell )

We begin a series on the Sermon on the Mount with the question: is Jesus’ ethical teaching still relevant and pragmatic for us today?

Beatitudes 5-7. We will look at being merciful, pure in heart, and peacemakers--These can be seen as “fruitful” outpouring of the first 4 beatitudes.

Matthew 25:14-30 English Standard Version 14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, sayin

Jesus raises a widows son from the dead. From a terminal situation, Jesus’ heart goes out to a devastated mother and demonstrates that He is the Lord of the Resurrection.

In the center of Mark, Jesus touches a blind man who initially cannot see clearly but then can. The disciples earlier do not ‘see’ the meaning behind the loaves and the fish. Following the healing of the blind man, they see clearly that Jesus is the Messiah. What in our lives keeps us from seeing.

Unity isn’t about being the same or conforming to one culture. People can have different political views, dress differently, and eat different foods, yet still be unified. A strong mission, vision, and purpose can bring people together. True unity centers on the Gospel/Christ, True unity has love at its core. True unity recognizes and honors differences.

Though the Spirit had been moving hte early church towards being a more Gentile-inclusive community, Paul confronts Peter for being a hypocrite and ghosting the Gentiles after a delegation from Jerusalem show up on the scene. Christ-centered unity is more than just getting along, and it’s a difficult sustained journey of conviction. There will be push back. There will be loss of reputation and status. Faithful reconciliation involves conflict and truth-telling, with a spoonful of the Holy Spirit.

In chapters 8 and 9 JEsus goe on a whirlwind tour of healing. In Matthew 9:37-38 Jesus sees the many people seeking healing and has compassion on them “for they were like a sheep without a shepherd.” Then he looks to his disciples and points their attention to the harvest before them saying: “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” We are invited to participate in Christ’s healing work in the world. When the need seems overwhelming and immense–Jesus tells us to prayer for more people to help out.

We are given a few episodes of Jesus very willing to cross the boundaries and propriety to heal people very intimately and with authority. As the prophet Isaiah wrote: Jesus takes ups our infirmities and heals our disease.”. He’s willing able and chases us down and holds us in our uncleanness.