Renew Bible Church Podcast

Light of Christmas - Light of the Gospel (pt 4)

The trials in our life can lead us to despair, but these same trials can be the pressure that is needed to forge us into a shining light for others, giving them hope. This ray of hope, this light can point others to Jesus Christ, our true source of hope. "For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake."  2 Corinthians 4:5.  But remember that in sharing the gospel which is the knowledge of Jesus Christ, we are not responsible for the outcome; and in sharing the Gospel, we may incur further trials as did Paul.  (see 2 Cor 11:23-28).  In 2 Corinthians 4:1-18, Pauls describes the Christian life as a clay jar. Our life (as a Christian), has great value (vs 7-10); and the light that is within us is the "carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies."

So how do we 'suffer well?' 1) we suffer well through our conviction.  We must firmly believe the Gospel that we share. 2) we suffer well when we exhibit assurance, knowing the outcome (that Jesus wins!) and, 3) we suffer well as we bear the responsibility of sharing God's grace (the Gospel message) to others.

Finally it is important for the suffering believer to remember that, "this light and momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.  For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)

Light of Christmas - Light of the Lamp (pt 3)

Are you walking in the Light? Are you walking in with God's Lamp?

Join us today as we learn what the Light of the Lamp is, and how it affects our life.

Light of Christmas - Light of the City (pt 2)

Continuing on with how we need to be a light in the world, overcoming the darkness, we learn that light is best placed where it gets the most exposure...in dark places.  This is where it is needed the most and where we can have the greatest affect.  We are called to be salt, making a positive difference in peoples lives or situations.  We learn that grumbling or complaining takes away from our light or causes us to lose our saltiness.  Another way we lose our saltiness or light is by approaching situations with the attitude, 'what can I get from this'. Instead we should use our talents to give to others or situations, thereby letting our light shine.

Scripture readings:

John 8:12 and 12:46

2 Corinthians 4:6

Matthew 5:13-16

Philippians 2:14-15

Light of Christmas - Light of the World (pt 1)

Christmas for some may seem hopeless.  Hopelessness leads one to darkness.  In John 1:1-5 we learn that Jesus is the WORD.  The WORD is Creator, Light and the Child, God Incarnate.  It was this Child who said 'I am the Light of the world' and, ' Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the Light of Life' and, I have come into the world as a light so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness'.  We need to fix our hope in Jesus.  Hope gives us reason to live, something to look forward to. 

 

Scripture readings:

John 1:1-5

John 8:12

John 12:46

Isaiah 9

Thanksgiving 2019 - Hard Leads To Hope

It's easy to be thankful for the good things in our life, but what about the difficult things?  1 Thess. 5:18 reminds us we should give thanks in ALL circumstances.  This is a HARD thing!  Turning to Romans 5:1-5, Paul explains how this is possible.  Paul tells us that "...we also rejoice in our sufferings knowing that suffering produces endurance and endurance produces character and character produces hope.  This is echoed by James 1:2-4 which says, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." and again in Hebrews 12:5, 10-11, "Do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him...He disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." So suffering leads to hope.  But where do we find our hope?  If we place our hope in worldly, temporal things like health, possessions, finances, locations, relationships or situations, we are bound to be disappointed, but if our hope is placed in Jesus Christ, it is a hope that does not wear out (it lasts), it does not disappoint, but it truly satisfies.  Illustrations of this working out in real life are Fanny Crosby (1820-1915) or contemporary singer/songwriter, Laura Story.

SE7EN: Revelation - The Fall of Babylon (pt 10)

Join us this week as we come to the end of the Tribulation. We will witness the fall of Babylon and the Battle of Armageddon. This will be a much needed dose of hope... Jesus Wins in the end!

SE7EN: Revelation - Seven Bowls of Wrath (pt 9)

Join use this Sunday as we witness the scene of the seven bowls of wrath and ponder what the fruits of repentance looks like.

SE7EN: Revelation - The Beast from the Sea (pt 8)

As we continue in our Revelation series we will learn about the Anti-Christ and the Flash Prophet. And how to be on the look out for them in the Tribulation.

SE7EN: Revelation - The Seven Signs (pt 7)

Join us as we continue in our Revelation series.

Today we will be in chapters 11-12. We learn about the 2 Witnesses, the start of the seven signs and who wins in the end.

SE7EN: Revelation - The Seven Trumpets (pt 6)

The tribulation will be horrific. There's really no other way to say it. God's wrath will be poured out on the earth. Thankfully, we have hope in the truth of God's wrath.

Join us for more about the tribulation and God's Judgment and Mercy toward mankind, even in the midst of the tribulation.