Renewal Church

For millenia, people have looked up to the stars to guide their way at night, whether on sea or on land. We are starting a new series - This Is Our God - focused on the attributes of God. During this extended shelter-in-place, where days melt into weeks and weeks melt into months, we want to look up to who God is when we feel lost. Today we begin by exploring the justice of God, which is all the more apropos in light of recent events in our nation.

COVID-19 has driven us into a unique time of distance. Traditionally, the church has revolved around gathering in person to worship God, so a common question for Christians nowadays is how are we supposed to be the church while separated? Today, we are joined by Guest Pastor Barry Kang from Symphony Church as he preaches on how we are to proceed with doing God's work in today's scattered world.

When we think about missionaries, there is a tendency to see them as Christians with the greatest faith and spiritual maturity. This week, John Moon, our AMI missionary and pastor in Guatemala, shares with us that missionaries are not a special class of Christian. They are just as fearful of what comes next, uncertain if they will be ready or prepared for what God calls them to. He encurages us that we can be assured that God will certainly equip us with everything we need for the good works He has planned.

It's been two weeks since the death of George Floyd and demonstrations continue across the country, calling for action in response to our nation's history of racial injustice. Divisions continue to cause tension between Americans. In today's third guest speaker installment, we are joined by Pastor Mark of Radiance SF. Speaking from Isaiah 59, he shares God's definition of justice and how only the Gospel message of Jesus can solve the age-old sin of racism.

We are living in a time of great uncertainty and turmoil. We are still living in lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the nation's longstanding history of racial discrimination and injustice continues. We are headed into the unknown, unsure of when "normal" will return and unsure of how the nation will heal from deep racial wounds. Looking at the example of Joshua when he was appointed to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land, Pastor Young shares how we can face the our battles with courageous faith instead of fear. He encourages us to fix our eyes on God, medidate on the Word, and trust in His promises.

Before becoming the renowned apostle we all know him as today, Paul was initially a stout enemy of Christ, thoroughly convinced that he had to do everything in his power to oppose Jesus. Like Paul, we all suffer from the struggle of not seeing things the way they actually are in our lives, and like Paul, only through God’s help can we truly understand and overcome these realities. Today, we are joined by guest speaker Pastor Ryan as he shares from the book of Acts on how we are to overcome perceptual blindness in our following of Christ.

With all of the work, pressures, and dreams we find ourselves juggling everyday, it’s no surprise that we tend to lose sight of God’s role in our lives. Oftentimes, we think of God as the helper for achieving our life goals when in actuality it should be flipped, with our lives being driven by God’s purpose. Today, Pastor Ulysses preaches from Acts 8, using the story of Simon the Sorcerer to illustrate how idolatry interferes with our view of God, and how we as believers can overcome this to live more righteously.

Upon selling a piece of their land, a couple by the name of Ananias and Sapphira donate the proceeds to the Lord, though withholding a portion for themselves. When the Apostle Peter calls them out for this, they both suddenly die on the spot, sparking greater fear of God and respect for the Church. This passage is one that is difficult for many to digest - what exactly does this mean for how we live our lives in today's world? Are we to sell everything we have and give it all to the church? Today, Pastor Ulysses tackles how we as Christians, should respond.

What does the Christian gain in this life? This week, Pastor Ulysses explores the question by sharing from the book of Acts. Peter and John approach a lame beggar outside the temple gate, but tell him they have no money to assist. Christianity offers nothing of earthly reward—nothing that the world can give. But, it does promise a relationship with God. Instead of giving money to this needy man, what follows instead is a miraculous healing which allows him to enter into the temple and worship God. He wasn't simply healed, but he received access to God, the greatest gift every human needs.

Easter arrives this year in the midst of a coronavirus outbreak that's upended many peoples' lives. As we work through these hard times, it's understandable for both believers and non-believers to wonder why this virus is happening in the first place. Through all the suffering that we see around us, Easter is a reminder for all of us to remember the greatest suffering of all: Jesus and the sacrifice he made on the cross for our sins. In today's Easter service, we are joined by our sister church, Radiance, as Pastor Mark and Pastor Ulysses give a joint sermon on how we can process today's current situation and move forward with Christ in mind. Happy Easter everyone!