Renew Covenant Church Sermons

On this Easter morning, we are invited to consider two very different ways of approaching the Resurrection. One is a race for control — a grasping for certainty, authority, and external proofs. The other is a journey of love — a movement toward relationship, presence, and intimacy with the living Christ.

Palm Sunday | Amanda Moffat | Matthew 21:1-11 | 03.29.2026 by RC2 Lynnwood

Jesus' interaction with the Samaritan Women at the Well. More than physical thirst, Jesus offers the woman Spiritual water to quench her soul. Spirit and Truth comes in the desert.

Jesus has a conversation with Nicodemus about being born again in order to see the Kingdom of God. This passage also gives us a verse which has been an anchor for many people’s faith. However, beyond being born of the Spirit to someday enter heaven, what does this passage teach us about living a life with Jesus?

"Out of the Wilderness" | Dave Sim | Luke 4:1-13 | 02.22.2026 by RC2 Lynnwood

On the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus reveals his true divine glory to his disciples to confirm his identity as the Son of God and to strengthen their faith before he descends to the suffering of the cross. Jesus’ response to the terrified disciples—"Rise, and have no fear"—is a reminder that his presence and touch provide peace during overwhelming or destabilizing times.

Psalm 62 | Denise Lindberg | 02.08.2026 by RC2 Lynnwood

Psalm 31 | Diana Cleveland | 02.01.2026 by RC2 Lynnwood

Psalm 133 uplifts he goodness, beauty, and blessing of godly unity among believers. What does this mean for our church community today?

Psalm 126 explores the movement from past deliverance to present struggle and future hope.

The Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134) are a collection of 15 psalms used by Jewish pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem for annual feasts, symbolizing a spiritual journey from hardship to God's presence in Zion, characterized by themes of God's protection, grace, and presence. We begin the pilgrimage with a look at Psalm 121

Psalm 98 is one of six Enthronement Psalms (Psalms 93, 95-99) that celebrate Yahweh’s universal sovereignty and eternal kingship. These Psalms depict God as a just and powerful ruler over creation, calling people to worship and highlighting themes of salvation, later reinterpreted in Christianity as Christ’s ultimate reign. Scholars have also linked the Enthronement Psalms to ancient New Year festivals, during which the community would ritually acclaim divine kingship and renew hopes for cosmic order and blessing in the coming year. In the New Year let’s sing out a new song orienting our lives around the kingship of God!

Welcoming the Stranger | Magdiel Tzec | 2 Timothy 2:8-10 | 10.12.2025 by RC2 Lynnwood

A command to love the stranger.

The people of Malta warmly welcomed Paul and his companions, offering fire, food, and shelter. Paul's healing of Publius affirmed their kindness and opened doors for ministry, showing how hospitality reveals God's character. Hospitality is a reciprocal and relational reality. We need to learn not only to give it, but to receive it. In receiving hospitality we contribute to vulnerable and safe space making.

God prepares a feast for all people, breaking barriers and inviting everyone to His table. This sets the foundation for our call to extend hospitality. Application: Reflect on how we can create spaces of abundance and inclusion in our homes, churches, and communities.

Jesus shifts the crowd’s focus from physical bread to Himself as the true, life-giving sustenance. God is not just a provider of temporary needs, but the giver of eternal life through Christ—the “bread from heaven” who satisfies the soul’s deepest hunger.

This week we will wrap our study of Matthew . As we walk as disciples with Jesus, we will need to ask: do our preconceived and culturally influenced notions of “how to live” fit with Christ’s teachings? Do our previously held expectations and traditions come with us as we follow? As we wrap up this series, we will be sure we are focusing on going where He leads, not what the world attempts to demand.

In Matthew 8:14-16, Jesus heals Peter's mother-in-law by touching her hand, which causes her fever to leave her and she begins to serve them. This miracle demonstrates Jesus' power and compassion.

The Roman centurion demonstrates extraordinary faith by believing Jesus can heal his servant from a distance, without needing to physically visit. His humility is exemplary: “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof.” He recognizes Jesus’ divine authority, likening it to his own command over soldiers: when he gives orders, they are obeyed.

Jesus heals a leper.

Matthew 7:24-29 New International Version 24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” 28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

Jesus presents a stark choice between two ways: the wide path and the narrow path. One leads to destruction and the other to life. The narrow path reflects the way of discipleship, marked by inward transformation and obedience.

We continue in our Sermon on the Mount Series with a sermon on the Golden Rule.

"Ask, Seek, Knock" || Amanda Moffat || Matthew 7:7-11 || 07.06.2025 by RC2 Lynnwood

“Who are the Dogs and Pigs?” || Dave Sim || Matthew 7:6 || 06.29.2025 by RC2 Lynnwood

Jesus delivers a strong warning against judgment and hypocrisy. He commands, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged," urging us to approach others with humility rather than condemnation, challenging us to engage in honest self-reflection before correcting others.

Jesus teaches about trusting God instead of worrying. He urges His followers not to be anxious about their basic needs—food, drink, and clothing—because God, who cares for the birds and flowers, will surely provide for His people as well.

"Prayer" || Tim Hsieh || Matthew 6:5-15 || 06.01.2025 by RC2 Lynnwood

Jesus continues to press into the “heart” of matters–that faith begins from the inside out. Jesus warns against performing righteous acts for public recognition and instead encourages sincere, private generosity that seeks God's approval rather than human praise.

Jesus' teachings in Matthew 5:38-48 are a powerful example of subversive non-violence. In this passage, Jesus challenges the traditional "eye for an eye" principle and instead calls for radical love, non-retaliation, and enemy love. He instructs his followers to turn the other cheek, give more than what is demanded, and go the extra mile—all actions that disrupt cycles of violence without resorting to aggression

Renew’s founding verses are embedded in this passage. What does it mean to live into the Good News of these words pointing forward to Jesus’ ministry? We are growing deeper roots as ambassadors of reconciliation and participants in God’s renewing of all things.

John 17:13-21 NRSV 3 But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 15 I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. 16 They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth. 20 “I ask not only on behalf of these but also on behalf of those who believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

Christ is Risen. And Jesus is real! Jesus reveals himself to his disciples, showing them his hands and feet. Though they continue to doubt, Jesus asks for something to eat and shares a meal with them. He then charges them to be his witnesses. What has Jesus done in your life? When do you doubt this? Continue to share the Good News of What Jesus is doing!

Palm Sunday Sermon

"All Out Love" by Dave Sim || John 12:1-8 || 04.06.2025 by RC2 Lynnwood

We are excited to welcome Lenore Three Stars as our guest speaker at Renew. Lenore speaks, rights, and teaches from a Native perspective on decolonizing theology and racial reconciliation.

34 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. 35 Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

As we begin the season of Lent, we are invited to follow Jesus’ example of being led by the Spirit into spaces that invite challenging choices and a clear dependence on God.

33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

"Anger" by Dave Sim || Matthew 5:21-26 || 02.16.2025 by RC2 Lynnwood

Two major themes we have explored in the Sermon on the Moun so far: 1. the essential character of Jesus' disciples as described by the Beatitudes and 2. their purpose to be the salt and light of the world. Jesus pivots to a discussion of the Law and the Prophets to address concerns about traditional teachings by the Pharisees and other religious leaders, who have turned the Scriptures into strict codes for personal gain. Jesus clarifies that He did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it, bringing true illumination through His presence. Christ himself animates the Scriptures, our faith, and the Church's worship and ministry, and cannot be separated from the Law and Prophets.

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.

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?

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.’

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.

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.

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.

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.”

We live out our Kingdom citizenship, however, “in the world” We’re not supposed to huddle safely within the confines of the church. Let us de-center the “church” as the only place we do the “sacred.” How do we live our faith outside the walls of the church, in our places of work?